science · 29 July 1920 · 104 years ago
In 1920, the first transcontinental airmail flight relay from New York to San Francisco occurred. A quote from the event, "I happened to be the man on the spot, but any of the rest of the fellows would have done what I did, " said Jack Knight, first night mail flight, which was part of a record-setting transcontinental airmail relay. Interstate carriage of mail by airplane was sanctioned between Garden City and Mineola, NY with Earle H. Ovington, first U. S. mail pilot (1911). This was a dangerous occupation: 31 of the first 40 pilots hired to fly mail were killed in crashes. Regular transcontinental airmail service began in 1924.
OnThisDay.net