After the First World War, aviators returned to America in search of their fortunes in aviation.\u00a0 For a mere $400 or $500 each, they were able to acquire training aircraft from the government, the most common of which was the venerable Curtiss JN-4D \u201cJenny.\u201d\u00a0 During the period after the war, almost every school-aged child knew of the Jenny and hoped to fly one of the wood and fabric aircraft.<\/p>\n
For a mere $3, the pilots, commonly known as gypsy pilots or barnstormers, flew the open cockpit airplanes carrying passengers aloft over and around their towns.\u00a0 Usually, it was a brave and hardy soul who flew with the early barnstormers.\u00a0 The barnstormers\u2019 Jennies were typically in ill repair with fabric patches covering damaged surfaces and engines which leaked oil and quit running with little or no warning.\u00a0 For those who dared fly with the gypsy pilots, it meant the possibility of personal harm due to airframe or engine failure, enduring hot rocker cover grease, oil sprayed the face, and the loss of $3 which would go to putting gasoline in the Jenny and food into the pilot.<\/p>\n
What did a brave passenger get for the cost of $3?<\/p>\n
They got the chance to fly above their home; to see green fields as never before; a chance to look over the horizon; to view cars that looked like toys and friends who were no larger than dolls; they had a chance to look into the future; and if one were really brave, he or she could see the world from upside down while listening to the wind whistling in the wires.<\/p>\n
During the 1920\u2019s and early 1930\u2019s, the barnstormers made their impression on America by introducing the country to aviation.\u00a0 Although the method of this introduction was sometimes less than optimal, the gypsy pilots left a mark on the countryside that was indelible.\u00a0 By 1925, almost everyone in America became aware of aviation in some manner or form.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gypsy pilots and their Jennies lit a match to shine on the aviation industry.\u00a0 Unknown to them at the time, there was a wind starting to blow and that wind was fanning the fires.<\/p>\n
As America moved from the second decade into the third, airplanes and technology improved, in some cases, drastically.\u00a0 Flying became a more accepted and safer means of travel toward the end of the third decade.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
-30-<\/p>\n
\u00a9 2010 J. Clark<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After the First World War, aviators returned to America in search of their fortunes in aviation.\u00a0 For a mere $400 or $500 each, they were able to acquire training aircraft from the government, the most common of which was the … Continue reading