FRAMED PAINTING · HISTORICAL EXHIBITPreserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
Captain William S. Arnott was a United test pilot who flew nearly every aircraft in the fleet. He joined United in 1946 and spent decades gathering artifacts for United’s Flight Center in Denver.
In 1993, a group of co-workers joined Arnott to form the United Airlines Historical Foundation as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. UAHF is independent, governed by a volunteer Board of active and retired pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and staff from United and Continental.
“Preserving the Past to Inspire the Future.”— CAPTAIN WILLIAM S. ARNOTT
The founders
Founding group
Ernie Burmeister, Larry Steenstry, Jim Doty, Ken Everson, Don Toeppen, Elrey B. Jeppesen, Ray Lahr, Bill Arnott, Tom Angelos, Kay McMurray, Buck Hilbert and Capt. William Traub.
Past presidents
Don Toeppen (1993–95), Kay McMurray (1995–2000), Donald E. Jiskra Sr. (2000–04), Sara Dornacker (2004–06), William J. Belmonte Jr. (2006–07), Tom Goodyear (2008–22), Brad Bruchs (2022–23).
Independent
UAHF is a tax-exempt nonprofit, independent of the airline. The exhibit lives inside United’s Flight Center in Denver (DENTK).
2025–2026 Board of Directors
Retiree groups that fly with us
RAFA-CWA
Retiree Association of Flight Attendants, founded 2004, advocating for retiree health care and pensions. About 1,500 members.
Clipped Wings®
Stewardess Alumnae and Flight Attendants, founded 1941. 30 chapters, 1,300 members.
IAM 1781
Machinists retirees association, founded 1983, based in Burlingame, CA.
RUAEA
Retired United Airlines Employees Association, founded 1975. 61 chapters in 26 states.
RUPA
Retired United Pilots Association, founded 1963, publishing RUPANEWS monthly.
Materials on this site are provided for personal, non-commercial viewing only and may contain inaccuracies. UAHF does not warrant the completeness of site content and is not liable for damages arising from its use. Links to other sites do not imply endorsement or affiliation. UAHF is an independent nonprofit and is not operated by United Airlines. Colors are inspired by an airline-blue palette and do not use any airline’s logo. Exhibit photographs and placard text are from the UAHF Historical Exhibit; dates are as shown on the exhibit plaques.