Wiweko Soepono

Wiweko was born on 18 January 1923, in Blitar, East Java during the period of Dutch colonization of Indonesia. The province of East Java, where the birthplace of Wiweko, Blitar, located was also the province of Dutch Aviation Pioneer and founder of Fokker Aircraft, Anthony Fokker, birthplace located, Kediri. Since his early youth Wiweko has developed interest in Science and Technology, one of his hobby during his youth was to read a Dutch version of Science and Technology magazine and aircraft aeromodelling. Wiweko later-on was also played major role in Indonesian Aeromodelling and was also regarded as the pioneer of Indonesian Aeromodelling. == Military career ==

Seulawah RI-001, now a static display in one of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Museum. During the Indonesian war for Independence, Wiweko was part of the team that was tasked by President Sukarno for a procurement program to buy a Douglas DC-3 Aircraft for the airlift purpose in-order to support Indonesian War for Independence. == Private Sector Career ==

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Wiweko work on several private sector industry, such as flying a crop-dusting aircraft for agricultural purpose. Wiweko's career in Bank Indonesia lasted until 1968, when he was appointed by Indonesian President Soeharto to lead Indonesia's flag-carrier Airline, Garuda Indonesia as its CEO. This occurred while Wiweko was flying a Bank Indonesia Beechcraft Super H-18 Aircraft en route from Denpasar to Jakarta and when entering Surabaya airspace he suddenly received an urgent message through his communication radio that telling him that he was summon by the President the next day for an important task. == Garuda Indonesia ==

In 1968 Indonesia dictator Soeharto appointed Wiweko Soepono to serve as the CEO of Garuda Indonesia. Wiweko become CEO of Garuda Indonesia in 1968 and was leading the company during the era where Aviation industry was at its down peak, due to several crisis that has a significant impact towards aviation industry such as the oil crisis and rising of oil price.For his achievement in modernizing the Airbus A300 cockpit that allows wide-body aircraft to be flown only by two-men cockpit crew, Wiweko was often credited as the father of "Two-Men Cockpit Crew" Wide-Body Aircraft. == Later life ==

Wiweko retired from his position as Garuda Indonesia CEO in 1984 and was succeeded by Reyn Altin Johannes Lumenta. Following his retirement, Wiweko remained active in the Indonesian aircraft industry and aeromodelling. Wiweko died in St. Carolus Hospital on 8 September 2000, following a long illness. He was buried in Jeruk Purut cemetery, next to his wife Mieke who died just two years earlier, in 1998. == References ==