R.H. Hinckley, Aviation Official, Dies

Robert H. Hinckley, founder of the Civilian Pilot Training Program that trained thousands of pilots just before the United States entered World War II, died Saturday of natural causes at age 96.

In 1983, the Federal Aviation Administration honored Hinckley for developing the college-based program, saying it helped shorten World War II by giving the United States thousands of trained pilots and airmen.

During the Roosevelt Administration, Hinckley was a member of and later chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Authority, forerunner of the FAA.

He also served as director of the Office of Contract Settlement, assistant commerce secretary and as assistant administrator of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Work Projects Administration during the Roosevelt and Truman administrations.

In 1948, the Utah car dealer helped found the American Broadcasting Network, later renamed the American Broadcasting Corp., and served as a vice president of ABC until 1959.

After his retirement, Hinckley established the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, which brings U.S. and foreign political leaders and administrators to the university to instruct political science students.

Hinckley, a Fillmore, Utah, native, also served as mayor of Mt. Pleasant and won one term in the state Legislature.

He is survived by three children. Funeral services are pending.