Airline Expansion and Innovation(1927 - 1941)

Did You Know?

This object is called a "knee board" because a pilot would strap it to his leg. He would turn the knobs to scroll the map as he flew his route. Why would this be more useful than a folding map?

What Was It Like To Fly?

Novel and exciting; loud and uncomfortable-an experience few people ever got to relish or regret.

In the early years of flight, pilots and the occasional passenger sat in open cockpits exposed to wind and weather. Even in Europe, where large transports carried passengers in comparative luxury, the ride was harsh, loud, and uncomfortable.

National Air and Space Museum Archives	An Air Mail Pilot's Wings Air mail pilots wore heavy flight suits instead of uniforms, but they were issued badges or wings for identification, as in this photo of pilot Wilfred A. "Tony" Yackey. Northwest Airlines still issues similar wings to its pilots.
Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum	Air Mail Pilot's Knee Board and Map Joseph L. Mortensen navigated the air mail route from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Reno, Nevada, in 1920 using this scrolling map and knee board. Gift of Joseph L. Mortensen
National Air and Space Museum Archives	Pilot Reuben H. Fleet with a map strapped to his knee.
National Air and Space Museum Archives	Of the more than 200 pilots hired by the Post Office from 1918 to 1926, 35 died flying the mail. Fatalities dropped after the first few years, but flying the mail remained a dangerous-and sometimes deadly-job.
National Air and Space Museum Archives	A Curtiss R-4 grounded by a snowstorm. Winter weather made flying treacherous.