Flight training in the United States before 1914 went from a do-it-yourself — build a machine and try to learn to fly it — endeavor to a growing system of flight schools across the country. The first organized flight instruction... Continue Reading →
The post-war bubble
Posted on February 4th, 2013 by Dennis Parks
On May 17, 1945, with the war in Europe ending and military production being cut back, the War Production Board announced the end of the prohibition on the production of civilian aircraft, providing such manufacturing didn’t interfere with war output.... Continue Reading →
Flying high before the (stock market) crash
Posted on January 23rd, 2013 by Dennis Parks
Production of aircraft became a huge industry during World War I. While the government sustained the aircraft manufacturers during this time, this support came to a screeching halt when the war ended. Continue Reading →
Aviation spreads its wings
Posted on October 22nd, 2012 by Dennis Parks
Among the many things taken for granted today is long-distance travel by jet airliners. So common is long-distance air travel that there have even been around-the-world races for general aviation aircraft. One forgets that regularly scheduled intercontinental commercial air travel... Continue Reading →
The streamlined decade
Posted on August 5th, 2012 by Dennis Parks
During the decade of the Great Depression, the streamlined form stood as an optimistic symbol of progress and efficiency. Streamlining was applied to cars, trains, ships, buildings, and even household appliances. This new idiom replaced the angular, art deco forms... Continue Reading →
Taking to the air
Posted on June 18th, 2012 by Dennis Parks
The history of aviation is a long record of man’s restless urge to emulate soaring eagles and swooping hawks, to escape the earth and reach the freedom of the skies. Even though the air had been harnessed for centuries with... Continue Reading →
Flying on wings of Mercury
Posted on April 25th, 2012 by Dennis Parks
Though Hammondsport, N.Y., is synonymous with the name Glenn Curtiss and well known as the home of the Curtiss Aeroplane Co., after World War I Hammondsport also became the home of another aircraft manufacturer — Aerial Service Corp. Continue Reading →
Front page news
Posted on February 15th, 2012 by Dennis Parks
LINDBERGH DOES IT! TO PARIS IN 33-1/3 HOURS cried out the newspaper headlines on May 22, 1927. Lindbergh’s epic flight made front page headlines in papers all around the world. We are all aware of the impact Lindbergh’s New York-to-Paris... Continue Reading →
The crazy man of the air: C.K. Hamilton wows crowds in 1910
Posted on January 29th, 2012 by Dennis Parks
Aviation burst upon the American public in 1910 through a frenzy of air meets, contests, daring flights and maneuvers. Over the year, 100 regularly organized meets and exhibitions were held. New records were set and broken almost every week. During... Continue Reading →
The first regulations
Posted on October 23rd, 2011 by Dennis Parks
Those who are familiar with today’s Federal Aviation Regulations know that they are a thicket of rules, occupying four volumes of the Code of Federal Regulations, consisting of 460 sections extending over 3,600 pages. But 85 years ago, it was... Continue Reading →
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