I am a family historian, writer, legacy speaker, and aspiring pilot preserving the aviation history of the Kalishek family—wing walkers, stunt pilots, and early aviation figures whose stories were nearly lost to time. I am also the youngest grandchild of Clifford Kalishek, which makes this work deeply personal as well as historical.

For years, much of this history existed only in fragments—scattered newspaper clippings, fading photographs, and family memories that were rarely gathered into a complete record. I began collecting and verifying what remained: locating original newspaper coverage, building timelines, preserving photographs saved by Aunt Ladya, and recording oral histories while they were still available. As a legacy speaker, I share this history publicly so it can be carried forward with accuracy, context, and respect.

This website—kalishekaviation.org—serves as a living archive: a place to preserve verified records, share factual information publicly, and keep this history accessible for future generations.

As part of this preservation work, I have written an illustrated historical narrative, All of Them but Fear, which introduces the Kalishek aviators in a format accessible to readers approximately 11 years and older, while remaining engaging and meaningful for adult audiences. The story is presented in the voice of Ladya (“Lydia”) Kalishek and highlights courage, determination, and the early wonder of flight, while remaining grounded in documented research and historical records. This illustrated edition includes material not published on this website and is available for purchase through the Amazon link provided here.

This website is intentionally a public-facing archive—a curated entry point rather than a complete account. Each format within this project serves a distinct purpose. In addition to the illustrated narrative, I am preparing a more comprehensive historical volume for adult readers, examining the Kalishek story with greater depth and expanded context, including material not appropriate for younger audiences. That volume is tentatively scheduled for publication in 2027 and will include information not available in either the illustrated book or this online archive.

If you would like to help preserve this history, please share this website with others who care about aviation and historical storytelling. This project is self-funded, and donations of any amount are appreciated and directly support continued research, preservation, and publication. You can also support this work by sponsoring my flight training—a practical way to help carry this aviation legacy forward through both preservation and continued participation in aviation. Sponsorships and designated donations help fund instruction time, training hours, and the costs associated with licensure. Earning my pilot’s license is my way of continuing the Kalishek legacy—not only by preserving their story, but by flying with purpose: serving on mission-based flights that help others and support gospel work, whether that means transporting people or supplies for humanitarian needs, assisting community relief efforts, or using aviation to reach and encourage others where access is limited. In time, I also hope to become a flight instructor, so I can help train and encourage other pilots with the same spirit of service. 

If you would like to connect, share information, or support this project, you can reach me at kalishekaviation@gmail.com or by phone at (906) 233-0685.

Thank you for helping keep this history from being forgotten.

Donation Link- https://donate.stripe.com/4gM4gs1lJ5XN9JHeSU73G01

All of Them but Fear-