I think I can, I think I can

http://www.gizmag.com/drones-human-thought-aviation-brainflight/36279/

I came across this article today and thought it was definitely worth sharing! It seems like a crazy idea that would be seen in some sci-fi movie, but definitely not something I would think would be happening in the very near future. This article discusses the project that a Portuguese team is working on where they successfully demonstrated a drone flight that was piloted by human thought. This article discusses the recent strides that have been made in regards to thought powered flight and discusses how this team managed to successfully thought pilot a drone. Although this thought powered flight seems to be something that will happen in the very near future, and this article talks about the future applications of this technology, such as piloting a passenger plane, I'm not sure that I would board a passenger that was being piloted by someone who was just thinking about flying. Maybe if they were still seated in the cockpit and were able to quickly adapt to any potential threats while flying, but still it seems kind of like the pilot would be more of a passenger who is taking a nap dreaming he is flying a plane and landing safely... and it seems a little sketchy to me. However, the one aspect of this new technology that is definitely exciting is the applications that would allow disabled people to interact with their environment and have the potential to control vehicles.

Dayton Air Show

The talk today by Mr. Gaffney make me think about my own experiences with the Dayton Air Show. I live in Vandalia so the summer was always as exciting time as a kid. Hearing and seeing all the planes fly into the airport for the Air Show was fun. I don't know how the tradition started for me, but my brother and I would go up to the airport on the Friday before the Air Show and sit at the end of one of the runways and watch the planes come in to land. All of the acts would practice on Friday so you would also get to see the whole show for free the day before. We would always sit under these trees by the end of 24L with a couple of other guys. These guys were great. They were Vietnam veterans and would tell stories about the planes as they came in about seeing them in war. They weren't pilots but they got a kick out of watching them fly. They would have their radios out listening to the pilots and the control tower so they knew when planes were coming in. They also knew all of the radio callsigns that the particular planes used so they could figure out what kind of plane was out there. When whatever plane would finally be close we would run over to the end of the runway and stand under the plane as it flew just 50 feet above. It was fantastic. You could get some great pictures of them too. I remember one time we were sitting there waiting for something to come in when all of the sudden there was an F-4 flying at what felt like 20 feet over us going very fast and LOUD! It wasn't landing and I guess we missed the radio calls for it. Needless to say, it was one of the best fly-overs ever. Anyway, just wanted to share a little bit of my experiences with the Dayton Air Show.

Am I crazy?!

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/02/jeff-wise-mh370-theory.html

This article is an interesting read as it discusses the Maylasian Airlines crash and how what was once a huge headline story is now a story that has fallen silent. The author is both a private pilot as well as a science writer and has written about other big mysterious crashes. He talks about how he was asked to cover this news story and details how difficult it was to cover the story due to all the contradictory information and how complex the situation was. The author lays out the different theories that were proposed about the potential whereabouts of the aircraft and then goes on to talk about how the plane was not found in any of these areas and ho eventually the story just died and we stopped hearing about it. The author then goes on to propose his own theory of Russians taking over he plane and landing the plane in Russia. It is interesting that no one has yet to find the plane and how it seemingly disappeared out of the air and yet at the same time the story has died and it has just been decided that the plane crashed and everyone died. The article has some conspiracy theory type views but it makes for an interesting read.

The Blitz

WWII was a time of enormous leaps in technology, especially for aircraft.  Planes could go farther and faster than ever before, and thus could target civilian towns that might have never seen war otherwise.  During the Blitz bombing of London 60,000 civilians died.  My grandmother and her family were some of the lucky few spared.  When asked about it, my grandmother will talk about how awful it was to have to run into the subways when the sirens would sound and how scary it was to be there in the smelly, dark London Underground as a young child.  She remembers having to black out the windows and that you couldn't go out after dark.  Every family was given a heavy steel kitchen table to hide under in case the house was bombed, in the hopes that the table would protect you as your house crumbled around you.  She remembers what the Buzz Bombs sounded like, and how they'd wait and hope that the buzzing wouldn't stop over them.  In many ways my grandmother is very British and when she discusses these things she talks about it as if it was just something that happened, that everyone just dealt with.  As if it were a minor inconvenience like traffic.  The picture here she always shares with a laugh.  It is of her parents posing in front of their house near the minor bomb damage it sustained--it was one of the few left standing on their street!

RQ-4 Global Hawk

Towards the end of our tour on Tuesday, we were able to see some UAVs, or drones.  The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a UAV that was recently created by the Air Force for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.  Not only do these machines need pilots, but they also need mechanics to ensure that they are operating correctly.  Following his graduation from basic training this fall, my cousin Tommy began training to service these aircraft.  Now stationed at Beale Air Force Base in California, he is a member of the first class of six Airman to be trained to work on the RQ-4 Global Hawk.  He loves being a part of the technological growth in the Air Force!  The attached article has some additional information about the RQ-4 and the new class of crew chiefs.

http://www.beale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123438814#.VN0BorM1UCN.facebook

Skin in Aviation

Grover Article



     In an article by Sanjiv Grover, the diverse interactions of dermatology and the aerospace environment are explored. While skin diseases are not extremely significant in the aeromedical population, they have a large effect on morbidity. During WW II, skin disease accounted for 75% of all outpatient visits, and skin disease resulted in 25% of all lost man-days aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier. Skin disease comprises 11% of all medical referrals with fungal infections being the most common disorder. Half of involved skin disease could permanently affect an aviator's ability to continue flying.
     Some of the differences in the climate of flight that contribute to dermatological stresses include a lower barometric pressure, a high partial pressure of inspired oxygen, a lower humidity, and prolonged cramped sitting. Potential skin irritants include dielecric fluids, sealants, kerosene, and jet fuel. Chronic exposure of light through cockpit windows has been blamed for the development of actinic dermatitis. At the altitude of a commercial airliner the exposure to cosmic radiation is 100 times greater than at sea level, possibly explaining the three times higher rate of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers and prostate cancers in pilots.
     Although many skin conditions are treatable, the conditions can impact the employability of aircrew in several ways. Many skin diseases recur frequently, they may require medication that interferes with wearing the cockpit equipment, or medications that interfere with flying ability such as mildly sedating medications. The future of aviation requires us to explore the health effects of aviation, including from a dermatological perspective.

(Hofstetter blog post #2)

Duck Chronicles

My friend David is a licensed pilot and lives in Sandusky during the summers as he completes his next level of academic training to be a commercial pilot. During his summers in Sandusky, he spends his time working at the local airfields and airports as support staff. Last summer his job involved co-piloting with people who wanted to take their personal/company pilots to log flight hours.

One early June afternoon on a flight, David and his pilot were unfortunate enough to be hit by a duck! Now you and I would think that is no big deal, but this must have been one fat duck. This duck slammed straight into the rudders of the plane, and went right through the windshield with it's head cut off! Needless to say, David and his pilot, now without a windshield, confused by what had just happened in the matter of a few seconds during a routine flight had to make an emergency landing. What better place to land a place than the comfy beaches of Cedar Point with visitors from the park watching the spectacle.
Luckily, nobody was injured and no harm done, except one dead duck which couldn't be roasted. But David and his pilot made quite a scene. 

Link to news article: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/5750561

Note: David is the guy with black hair with his aviators and red/orange shorts. If any of you see him around, be sure to say Hi. 

Sachdev Wings#3

3. What role did Henry Ford and other businessmen play in the development of the aviation industry?

Henry Ford was an astute businessmen who saw aviation as an up and coming industry. He decided to establish a regular air service between Detroit and Chicago (p 240). With commercial aviation in mind, he partnered with Willam B. Stout by buying his company and establishing an airport which set a new standard in aviation at the time. Ford’s commitment of resources into an industry still in infancy helped provide the jumpstart aviation needed to emerge as a viable business. Henry Ford was a pioneer of the time, and his involvement definitely provided the popularity needed by the aviation industry. Ford’s trademark was that of quality and reliability, and he capitalized on opportunities when Fokker airplanes were grounded after a plane crash. His continued involvement in the industry strengthened the belief that flight was now in man’s total control, but still had to be improved. Henry Ford played a big part in commercializing airplanes.

Fokker also began a manufacturing operation of airplanes, whose range and reliability dominated the headlines. Charles Lawrance set up his own firm to manufacture the improved radial engines. Frederick B Rentschler lead the Wright Aeronautical Company through continued and sustainable improvements in the field of aviation.

Had it not been for the interest by astute businessmen such as Ford, Stout, Lawrance, Rentschler etc., we may have not made the progress we have so far in the aviation industry.

6. What influence did Charles Lindbergh have on aviation during his career?

Charles Lindbergh was a young pilot who had 1,100 hours of flying experience with the army as a young pilot. He was a curious and adventurous American who was always looking for new challenges. In 1919, Orteig challenged the world’s pilot to fly from New York to Paris or vice versa- this was the kind of opportunity Lindbergh was looking for. At just 25 years old, Lindbergh successfully completed this flight which had before his success, seemed impossible. He instantly became a superstar, not just in the aviation realm, but in the entire world – he achieved a great feat. According to Margery Brown, he came to represent the very core of what young aviators at the time were looking to be, he represented ideals of courage, freedom and confidence (p 254).
His achievement was no easy task- he had thousands of hours of flying experience which enabled him to achieve this feat. Moreover, he had multiple hurdles to jump through. He chose to defer from the path taken when he chose not to use the modern trimotor airplanes, but instead use a single engine airplane. Lindbergh approached multiple sellers to procure an airplane but was repeatedly denied.

Lindbergh achieved at a very young age, what many had died in an attempt to achieve. He became an iconic American figure with his historic flight from New York to Paris.

13. How did the aviation industry and government encourage youth to be interested in aviation?

In Germany, Hitler Youth were able to participate in a glider program which was directly aimed at creating future aviators. In America however, the movement was much different.

Hollywood’s tryst with aviation began in the late 1920s which reached the lives of millions, many of which were young men and women. Additionally, the comic strips about aviation were extremely popular. More prominently, clubs and youth organizations started to pop up with a focus on motivating, educating and providing resources for the youngsters interested in aviation. This included the Junior Birdmen of America, Boy Scout’s Air Scout Program (1942-1949), Jimmy Allen Flying Club, Air Youth of America and high level of involvement by NASA in supporting the next generation of aviators. Around this time, modeling also became extremely popular, and was seen as an activity which was the predecessor of building real aircrafts. The Cleveland Model Company, The Guillow Company and The Academy of Model Aeronautics boomed at the time.

Wings Assignment #3 - Jim Miller

Assignment #3 WINGS

Chapters 7-9

Answer three of the following questions. Use examples from the reading to support your responses:

4. How did the science of meteorology relate to aviation?

At the turn of the 20^th century, a Norwegian gentleman named Vilhelm Bjerknes formulated a new theory for predicting weather. He found that circulation patterns in hydro- and thermodynamics were related to the seas and the atmosphere. Bjerknes accepted chair positions at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Leipzig and later at the University of Bergen to continue developing and sharing his ideas. Shortly thereafter, he and his students, using information gathered from weather posts in Norway, developed the “Polar front theory,” which is still used today. It is based on the idea that weather occurs in fronts between masses of cold and hot air.

Planes were utilized to observe these masses from the air. With this new technology, weather predictions became more accurate. As a result, the US government granted more money to the Weather Service. They paid for Carl-Gustaf Rossby, a student of Bjerknes, to set up observation posts at every airport along the newly established Western Air Express, an air route used for mail delivery. Using radio communication, airline pilots were able to relay information about the fronts to the weather stations and vice-versa. This system continued to grow and spread throughout the nation into the 30s. Thus, while modern meteorology would eventually require the invention of the computer to really become effective, it took a major leap with the help of aviation.

6. What influence did Charles Lindbergh have on aviation during his career?

Charles Lindbergh was one of America’s first aviation celebrities. At the age of 25, he bested far more seasoned pilots when he became the first person to cross the Atlantic alone on a non-stop voyage. He flew from New York to Paris in just about a day and a half in his Ryan plane, Spirit of St. Louis, and with that he skyrocketed to stardom. His time in the public eye led to some serious incidents, including the highly publicized kidnapping and murder of his infant son, as well as his unfortunate anti-Semitic comments on the air.

Despite the media circus, he made some valuable contributions to aviation. He helped found Transcontinental Air Transport and the famous Pan American World Airways and later served as a consultant for both companies. In fact, much of his post solo-flying career was spent as a hired hand for aviation industries as they developed new technology. It is also said that Lindbergh convinced Harry Guggenheim in the late 20s to do research into upper-atmosphere and outer space flight – realities he got to witness before his death. Beyond all of this, he inspired a generation of Americans to do more than they thought they were capable of, and kept the nation’s aviation industry going through the Great Depression.

10. What role did airships and clipper ships play in aviation between the wars?

Airships and Clipper ships were perfect examples of bridge technologies. They were popularly used at a time when they were the best option available for transportation across continents, but both were extremely flawed. Zeppelin dominated the airship market. The German company churned out these massive flying vehicles that were up to four football fields in length to carry mail and passengers, first around Europe, and then across the Atlantic and down to Africa and the Far East. Clipper ships, developed mainly by Boeing, were large flying boats that Pan American World Airways used to send passengers across the Pacific. There is some great value in the adventure that these vessels provided. Both ships were linked with the Spirit of Adventure, and movies like Up reflect this ideal, but there was a far darker side to these flying machines. Safety was a massive issue. Airships crashed constantly, killing hundreds of crewmen and passengers in their years of service. One such event, the Hindenburg disaster, which occurred in 1937, was recorded on video and effectively ended the demand for airships. The crash landing of the massive Zeppelin in New Jersey that killed 35 people scared away future customers. The Clipper ships didn’t record nearly the amount of casualties, but it was simply not an effective way to travel long distances. Jet planes replaced both vehicles shortly after the war.

Wings Writing Assignment #3 By: Danny Keltner

11.) What technological innovations in aircraft engine design occurred during the period between the wars and how did it affect the aircraft industry?

      There were several technological innovations that occurred in air craft engine design.  The aircraft during the war had rotary engines, but after the war these engines had reached it’s potential.  So these engines were replaced with a water—cooled in-line engine.  These engines were called radial-engines and the engines were smaller and lighter than the engines during the war.  However these engines still had the problem of overheating.  So in 1923, Sam Heron solved the challenge of overheating by cylindrical cooling (pg. 244).  He created a valve filled with liquid sodium that would disperse heat so cylindrical cooling could occur (called the ‘whirlwind’/ J-5C in 1925).  The problem with the whirlwind however was that it had a very large frontal area and this caused an unnecessary amount of drag.  Townend created a narrow ring that helped with the drag and keep the cooling mechanism functional (pg. 244).  Even after that Fred Weick and his staff of NACA Langley helped create the NACA cowling which helped reduce drag even more and made the cylinders have a maximized cooling effect (pg. 244).  The NACA cowling helped improve the speed of the aircraft's.  This affected the aircraft industry because the military was looking for the best possible engines they could be used.  This caused a competition between different companies to try and create the best engine that could create the most speed but weigh the less.  It also led to aircraft's being created to fly across the Atlantic.  Also, this competition (mainly between Wright Aeronautical and Pratt and Whitney) caused, market incentives to take place so bankers and businessmen viewed aviation as more of a business now.  (pg 246).      

4. How did the science of meteorology relate to aviation?

                The science of meteorology related to aviation by looking at the weather of a location and transmitting that information to a pilot.  It also aided in the development of passenger airlines. A man named Daniel Guggenheim who ran the Guggenheim Fund, wanted to prove that an airline is able to carry passengers with comfort.  One of the “model airlines” would include weather forecasting facility.  This is where meteorology came in.  Gugggenheim hired a Swedish student Carl-Gustaf Rossby who became the founder of modern meteorology (pg. 251).  He developed a weather-reporting system for the Western Air Express (WAE).  Gunnenheim also gave Rossby the ability to use the Bjerknes air-mass analysis system for forecasting.  The meteorologists at the observation posts on the WAE line were able to radio the forecasts to the pilots to let them know what they should prepare for.  The navy and army took notice and used the forecasts as well (pg. 252).  Meteorology gave pilots the knowledge of what is to come which was much needed information.  Pilots were now aware of their surroundings and it was now safer to fly. This might have led to the creation of passenger airlines as a result of the increased safety of flying.  The Bjerknes air-mass analysis system was so impressive that the U.S. weather Bureau would use it (pg. 252).  

6. What influence did Charles Lindbergh have on aviation during his career?

                Charles Lindbergh first started out as a barnstormer, then became an army pilot, and after an airmail pilot.  However, he looked for more challenges.  Charles Lindbergh flew from Roosevelt Field, New York to the Le Bourget Air Field in Paris, France on May 21, 1927.  He was an underdog in this flight because many famous pilots were looking to do the same thing before him.  Also, he was only using a single-engine airplane which others believed to not be satisfactory.  This caused a critical shift in the idea of aviation.  This was the first time someone flew from New York to Paris.  His determination to make a plane for this task aided in the creation of planes that could travel across the Atlantic.  It wasn't Lindbergh as a person that influenced aviation, but the idea of Lindbergh was the influence.  He showed the necessary qualities to become a heroic pilot.  These qualities were, “courage, quiet confidence, modesty, and spiritual freedom.” (pg. 254).  He helped changed the image of a pilot as more of a celebrity.  He managed to use his celebrity power for the advancement of aviation.  He went on a national tour to help people be more aware of aviation and he also encouraged construction of local airports.  After his downfall because of his ideas of anti-Antisemitism he still influenced aviation.  He was able to teach pilots concepts of how to conserve fuel and extend their range (pg. 263).  He also helped create two commercial airlines (transcontinental Air transport and the Pan American World Airways.)  (pg 262).  He also influenced Harry Guggenheim to support the ideas of rockets (“upper-atmosphere research) which lead to the creation of space shuttles.         

Jess Hess Wings #3

4. How did the science of meteorology relate to aviation?

                Anyone who has been on an airplane has experienced a delay of some sort. More often than not, those delays are a result of poor weather conditions. So, how did those pilots know if and when they were about to run into poor weather? In the 1920’s, a Swedish student at Vilhelm Bjerknes named Carl-Gustaf Rossby developed a weather-reporting system for aviators. He was first hired on to establish the system for Western Air Express, which was an airmail contractor. Rossby was then given a grant by Guggenheim officials to make it come to life. (pg. 251-252) To accomplish this task, Rossby had meteorologists planted at several different airports and selected points along flights to report the forecasts to the pilots in the air. Each meteorologist would broadcast to individual stations, which the aircraft could tune into and listen for what kind of weather they would encounter (pg. 252). Having this system in place allowed pilots to prepare for what was ahead and protect themselves from any potential danger. The science of meteorology and aviation must be related to one another because if they were not, the reports of airplane crashes would go way up. Meteorology is essential to keep modern planes, pilots, and passengers safe.

6. What influence did Charles Lindbergh have on aviation during his career?

                Perhaps known most famously as the father of Charles Lindbergh, Jr., the infant kidnapped and killed in 1932, Charles Lindbergh was also a successful airmail pilot who had an amazing influence on aviation during his career. His most famous success took place in 1927 when he flew his aircraft called the Spirit of St. Louis from New York to Paris. This challenge was presented by the Frenchman Raymond Orteig, who offered $25,000 to whomever could accomplish the task. Lindbergh, having a great deal of experience with delivering mail via airplanes, went out to find the most successful aircraft to travel on the mail routes. He eventually found the Spirit of St. Louis to fly, which was an M-2 plane on steroids. However, the plane did not have any elements that made it stand out from all of the rest. But, Lindbergh flew it well and was able to make the trip from New York to Paris. After his accomplishment, Lindbergh went on several tours around the world. On these tours, he found his wife, Anne, supported commercial aviation, and was involved in creating the airlines: Transcontinental Air Transport and Pan American World Airways (pg. 262). Even though Lindbergh only started out as an airmail pilot, he became the most famous aviator in the twentieth century. (pg. 254-264)

12. Were technological advancements in aviation reflected in other aspects of society and culture during this period?

                Absolutely aviation was reflected in other aspects of society and culture during the twentieth century! Film was huge during that time period and Hollywood was quick to pick up on society’s fascination with aviation. So, naturally, more and more movies were released that had a focus on aviation and pilots. Among these were movies such as Wings, Hell’s Angels, Flight commander, Ace of Aces, and even Mickey Mouse’s Plane Crazy (pg. 312). I am sure the Mickey Mouse film was created to reach out to the younger generation who were not old enough to watch the other films such as Test Pilot. Another timeless form of entertainment for society was radio. As far as aviation goes, “Jimmy Mattern’s Diary” was a popular program for people to tune into so that they could hear about the many adventures in the sky. Other aspects of society influenced by aviation were comic strips and clubs/groups that were interested in finding out more about aviation. Possibly the biggest influence on society, however, were model airplanes. Crouch states that, “…aircraft modeling quickly became an officially approved pursuit carried out under adult supervision” (pg. 314) Even today, there are several varieties of model airplanes for people to purchase and assemble. Overall, aviation had a major influence on aspects of society and people welcomed it with open arms. (pg. 312-315)

Wings #3

1.  Aircraft engine design underwent several revolutionary changes during the time between the World Wars.  During the first world war, most engines were still of the rotary design.  However, these engines were going out of style because they were reaching their limits in terms of power and weight.  Replacing the rotary engine was the V-shaped water cooled in-line engine.  These engines were more powerful but had more weight from the "radiator, pumps, pipes, and fluid required for a water-cooled power plant" (pg. 242).  The quest for more power and less weight continued after the war as more people began experimenting with air-cooled radial engines.  In these engines the "cylinders [were] arranged in a circle around the crankshaft, [and] the radial design offered a shorter, and therefore lighter engine block and crankshaft" (pg. 242).  This engine design continued to be developed throughout the years into such designs as the 1924 "Whirlwind"(pg. 244), and the 424 horsepower "Wasp" (pg. 246).  These changes to design affected the industry because they made airplanes faster, stronger, and more reliable.  A more powerful engine can support an aircraft that can carry more weight, such as freight or passengers.  The revolution of the aircraft engine allowed the airplane to become the multipurpose, economical form of transportation and trade that it is today.

3.  As the aviation craft truly started to become an industry business, in particular Henry Ford, began to have a major impact on the course of aircraft development and the trajectory of its future.  At this time, Ford was the biggest name in business in America, to its people Ford meant "efficiency and all that was modern" (pg. 249).  Because of this, Ford was one of the wealthiest men in the country and had the capital to invest in new technology, and Henry Ford was focused on one thing:  an all metal aircraft.  A functional full-metal aircraft would be a huge jump in airplane technology because all metal craft were more durable and less likely to break under stress, making them safer for passengers.  After several unsuccessful models, the Ford Tri-motor 4-AT was born.  Over the next 6 years this airplane would "be produced in at least eleven variants, 196 airplanes in all" (pg. 248).  Ford also created an airport in Dearborn, Michigan that came equipped with a "dirigible mooring mast, radio facility, weather station, well-equipped hangars, restaurant, hotel, and good connections to ground transportation" (pg. 240).  These innovations set the bar for the future of air travel and aviation.

6.  Charles Lindbergh had an incredible amount of influence on aviation.  He eventually became one of the most well known names in aviation history.  Lindbergh was a truly gifted pilot who flew an unremarkable aircraft that took "Atlas-like strength to handle" non-stop from New York to Paris (pg. 261).  He was the first person ever to do so and it launched him instantly into fame.  He and his wife became the darlings of the American people.  Lindbergh used his fame to "boost commercial aviation" creating both "Transcontinental Air Transport...and Pan American" (pg. 262).  His travels opened up the world and set the course for many future commercial flights.  His fame helped the American people grow to truly embrace the full potential of flight.  Even after his eventual fall from grace Lindbergh continued to shape the future of aviation.  He was a proponent of rocket science and upper atmosphere research and continued to believe in the science of flight for his entire life (pg. 264).

Josie Wings #3

5. Describe the role of the U.S. Postal Service in the development of aviation as a business.

The US Postal service gave aviation to take a step beyond record setting and the military, and into the lives of the average American. Flight made the delivery of mail faster and much more efficient, mostly due to the Air Mail Act. As aviation began to leak into the business sector, it began to attract entrepreneurial business men who saw the opportunity to build an empire. Some attempted to provide public transportation, but the technology was not yet there for it to be the option that it has become today. The success of these companies led to the battle of the businesses which competed for monopolies. As these companies beat one another out, only 5 remained 6 years after the industry began. The issue began to get presidential attention from Roosavelt as it came to light that pilots lost their lives flying in unfit weather conditions. This lead to inclement weather regulations were set in place, as well as other prohibitions and regulations that kept the monopolies at bay. This did assist the conditions for pilots and smaller businesses, but took a toll on the US postal service. It was because of this that the existing airlines began to struggle.

6. What influence did Charles Lindbergh have on aviation during his career?

Charles Lindbergh’s great influence on aviation happened May 21, 1927, when he flew his tiny monoplane from Roosevelt Field, New York, to Le Bourget Air Field in Paris, France. He became an instant celebrity, which was not common for someone who was not in the entertaining business. He became an icon that represented qualities that many Americans hoped to display. He began flying on his own before joining the army to fly the military grade air crafts. He was a professional in 35 different aircrafts, and was the first American to parachute successfully four times. After becoming bored, he yearned for a greater challenge, pushing him to take the challenge to fly from New York to Paris. He realized that the small single engine plane that he chose was more fitting for the job than the large trimotor plane that other had selected. The plane developed for him had a greatly improved compass and wing shape, as well as a 400 gallon fuel tank. Charles used the celebrity attention and focused it on aviation as field. He had a vision for local airports and commercial aviation, for which he helped a couple companies. He used his extensive knowledge to train pilots and increase flying efficiency.

9. What opportunities existed for women and African Americans in aviation during this period?

One of the most well known women in aviation is Amelia Earhart. It didn’t take much for her fame to equal that of Lindbergh. She was very well educated, and took flying lessons from pilot Neta Snook. She later was selected to fly alongside Louis Gordon and Wilmer Stultz across the atlantic ocean. Although she could hardly be considered more than a passenger during that flight, it was clear that she had started something that caught the public’s eye. This led to the creation of the Women’s Air Derby, in which nineteen contestants would race across most of the country. Despite the fact that other women occasionally achieved greater than Amelia, she remained the apple of the public’s eye. She went on to accomplish great feats, and in that ambition, she ended up disappearing in the pacific at age forty. The success Amelia, as well as other women, experienced was proof that the stigma held that white men were the only people suited for flying was absurd. Although it was clear women had something to prove, African Americans faced an entirely different battle. It was thought that if they flew, and proved themselves capable, they could slowly change public opinion. Despite attempts to get the media’s attention, this facet of aviation for the most part went unnoticed.