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In Flight USA Articles
Eddie Stinson: a True Pioneer in the Early Years of Aviation
By Alan Smith
Stinson 108-3, the last Stinson design. (Larry Westin)Edward (Eddie) Stinson was born in 1894 in Ft. Payne Alabama. Nine years later, he learned of the success of the Wright brothers in their mission to build and fly a powered airplane at Kitty Hawk North Carolina and his fascination with aviation was born.
At age 16, he dropped out of school, and headed for St. Louis where two men were building their own powered aircraft. There he convinced them that he should be their test pilot. He didn’t mention that their kite-like airplane was the first airplane he’d ever seen. He did manage to get it into the air but stalled and crashed, destroying one wing. The two gentlemen of St Louis decided aviation was not for them and gave Eddie 
Stinson Detroiter, the first Stinson. (PilotFriend)the wrecked aircraft as payment for his attempt to fly it.
Dark Horse Unearths an Aviation Comic Chestnut with the Rick Masters Series
By S. Mark Rhodes
(Dark Horse Comics)Dark Horse Comics has recently released Volumes 1 and 2 collecting the very early comic adventures of the Buddhist superhero called The Green Lama. Within these volumes there is buried an interesting aviation comic titled Rick Masters. Within the narrative of the comic, Masters is a former WWII ace who was discharged from the army having been labeled by the military as an “invalid” (the term the comic uses). Masters, a predictably capable and resourceful aviator re-invents himself as a kind of mercenary/adventurer/aviator who teams up with his Native American cohort/partner Twin Eagles (AKA “Mike”) who is an ace mechanic and a first-rate aviator in his own right.
Masters was created by Walter Gardern (with workmanlike art by Ira Turner) as a dashing creation seemingly inspired by dashing stars of the silver screen during the 30s and 40s such as Errol Flynn. Masters’ adventures started out as pretty much standard issue stuff dealing with saboteurs, smugglers, gangsters and the like. Eventually though they moved into a slightly more sci-fi realm traveling back in time and testing out early versions of “flying squirrel suits.” In this way, the strip was apparently influenced by some of the scientifically advanced pulp fiction stuff like Doc Savage and G-8 and his Flying Aces that were forerunners of traditional comics.
The First Transoceanic Flights
By Alan Smith
Everyone knows about Charles Lindbergh and his 1927 flight from Long Island NY to Paris, but there were others that took on the Atlantic challenge and he was not the first to cross the Atlantic. The London Daily Mail had put up a fifty thousand dollar prize for the first non-stop crossing by air, and a number of pilots had their eye on that. The first actual Atlantic crossing had been made by a U.S. Navy NC-4 Curtiss flying boat in early 1919, but it was far from non-stop and took weeks with engine and navigation problems. In June of 1919, two British teams were at St John’s, Newfoundland with converted biplane bombers. They had shipped the planes over to Newfoundland to attempt West to East crossings with prevailing winds as a tailwind.
Harry G. Hawker and McKenzie Grieve planned to try with a Handley-Page bomber powered by four Rolls Royce engines, while John Alcock and navigator Arthur W, Brown were preparing a Vickers Vimy twin-engined bomber that had been built too late to be used in WW I. Both crews, of course, were thirsting for the Daily Mail prize, and both were making preparations at Lester’s Field near St John’s.
The History of Glacier Girl: Part 1
Reprinted by permission of the Arkansas Educational Television Network
Owned by Rod Lewis this flight of the P-38 Glacier Girl flown by Steve Hinton, and the two F7F Tigercats flown by Stewart Dawson and Rod Lewis, were photographed from the ramp of an Alaska ANG C-130 over Pyramid Lake, Nevada during the Reno National Championship Air Races last September. (Jim Dunn)Editor’s Note: In Flight USA will run the story of Glacier Girl in three parts. This first part is the history of Glacier Girl. In the June issue of In Flight USA, Part 2 will cover The Recovery of Glacier Girl, and finally in the July issue we will cover the Restoration of Glacier Girl. This story leads us to AirVenture, July 25-31, where Glacier Girl will be on display.
As “Europe first” was the policy declared by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Operation Bolero began its phase in history as a massive buildup and movement of Allied aircraft into the European theatre. It was Tuesday, July 7, 1942, just seven months since the attack on Pearl Harbor that had thrust the U.S. into the war.
The most daring aspect of Operation Bolero was the actual flight overseas in stages, refueling in Labrador, Greenland and Iceland. Only the second of many flights to come during this operation, none of the pilots of what has now become known as “The Lost Squadron” knew their flight to England would end on the ice cap in Greenland.
Wild Weather at Sun 'n Fun
By Ed Downs
Photos Courtesy of EAA
(EAA Photo)This April edition of In Flight USA is going to press just as information is being received regarding a severe storm, now being reported as an F1 Tornado that hit the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In and Air Show site at Lakeland’s Linder Regional Airport. It is now known that some 15 attendees and/or exhibitors received injuries ranging from minor scrapes and abrasions to broken bones. Forty to 50 aircraft were seriously damaged or destroyed. These aircraft included those on display by vendors and many visitor airplanes, including homebuilts and classics. Numerous vendor tents and displays were destroyed. The staff at In Flight USA wishes to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery from personal injuries and a 
(EAA Photo)successful financial recovery from the enormous financial strain such a disaster places on all affected.
Our April cover, the Legend Cub, an S-LSA manufactured by American Legend Aviation of Sulfur Springs, Texas, represents a snapshot of the courage and tenacity of the vendors who have been hit hard by this storm. Dave Graham, Director of Marketing for American Legend, commented, “We knew storms were on the way and secured everything the best we could. When it did hit, there was little warning. Our team rushed inside our display tent and hung on for dear life. I can now say that I have soloed a tent!”
The Official Word From Sun 'n Fun: All Safe, Property Damage Extensive
As of In Flight USA’s deadline on Friday, April 1, there were only minor injuries suffered by people on the ground, however, damage to aircraft and property was extensive following a severe weather system that ravaged the Lakeland area on Thursday, March 31.
Bird Dog
By Russ Albertson
During WWI, with the introduction of the airplane in combat, aerial reconnaissance was now free ranging and commanders could get a far better idea of enemy troops facing them. The Piper L-4 Grasshopper served as the U.S. Army spotter plane in WWII and remained in service until 1949 when the Army put out a contract for an all-metal plane to replace the Piper.
Winter Reading Club
The Art of the Airways (Zenith Press) is a handsome coffee-table book whose appeal might stretch beyond the garden-variety aviation enthusiast. This work is a chronicle and celebration of airline poster imagery and advertising from the golden age of commercial flight. The work provides some
Ferrying a Beech Baron to Brazil: Part 1
By Steve Weaver
The view off of the wing. (Steve Weaver)A couple of years ago I got a call from a gentleman in Brazil, inquiring about a Cessna 210 that I was advertising. Roberto Martins lived near Sao Paulo and was a farmer who worked a 120,000 acre farm, raising cattle and soy beans, and he was also a pilot that needed an airplane to cover the vast distances of his country with it’s scattered population centers.
Over the next few weeks we had several conversations by phone about the 210, and finally a deal was struck for him to purchase the airplane and begin the process of getting the ship ready to export to Brazil.&
US Navy “Blue Angels” to Perform at Sun ‘n Fun
(Courtesy of U.S. Navy Blue Angels)The United States Navy’s (USN) “Blue Angels” military jet demonstration team will be the featured air show performers at this year’s Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held March 29 - April 3 on its campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida.
“Sun ‘n Fun is honored and excited to host one of the world’s most recognized military jet teams – the Blue Angels – and to recognize the 100th anniversary of Naval aviation during our 2011 event,” said Sun ’n Fun President John Burton. “Their participation will add to the exciting array of aircraft and activities already planned for Sun ’n Fun’s 37th annual celebration. We’re excited about having the Blue Angels take to the skies over Lakeland, especially as they perform their aerial magic for our attendees and area guests.”
F-22 Raptor Returns to Perform at Sun 'n Fun
Lt. Col. James Hecker flies over Fort Monroe before delivering the first operational F/A-22 Raptor to its permanent home at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on May 12. This is the first of 26 Raptors to be delivered to the 27th Fighter Squadron. The Raptor program is managed by the F/A-22 System Program Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Colonel Hecker is the squadron’s commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)The world’s only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft – the F-22 “Raptor” – will return to the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held March 29 to April 3 on its campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida. Considered the U.S. Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor utilizes a unique combination of supersonic speed, stealth technology, a “see-it-to-believe-it” maneuverability, integrated avionics and improved supportability that represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities.
“We were honored to be the first civilian aviation event to host this amazing fighter jet and we are honored to welcome it back to Sun ’n Fun this year,” said Sun ’n Fun President and Convention Chairman John Burton. “Whether or not you’ve seen the Raptor fly before, it will be well worth the effort to see it fly at Sun ’n Fun. Fighter jets are capable of some pretty amazing things but this aircraft exceeds even the highest expectations. We can’t wait to see it fly again!”
Sun 'n Fun Recognizes 20th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm
The 20th anniversary of “Operation Desert Storm” will be recognized during the 37th annual Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In and Expo. This year’s Fly-In will take place March 29 to April 3 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Fla.
United States Army Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum and her husband, United States Air Force Brig. Gen. Kory Cornum, both served in Desert Storm and will provide their unique perspectives on the military strategies and their successful conclusion during the First Persian Gulf War.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Desert Storm,” said Sun ’n Fun President and Convention Chairman John Burton. “We are honored to have these two high-ranking military veterans who so honorably served in Desert Storm and who remain in service to our country to this day. Their program will be one that Sun ’n Fun participants and guests will be talking about for a long time.”
A Flight Down Memory Lane
By Steve Weaver
I was thinking during a flight the other day, as I watched the little airplane that represented my position over the planet earth, skimming over the towns, roads and other conveniently-identified objects on the GPS moving map, that navigation isn’t as much fun as it once was. Pilots who have cut their teeth on VOR, Loran and now GPS navigation must find it hard to imagine finding their way across the country with only a map and a watch, and nothing to back up those humble aids. It can be done, and many of us who wouldn’t dream of describing ourselves as “Old Timers” have done it, for hours and hours and miles and miles.
The Luscombe Silvaire Survives for 74 Years With a Life of its Own
By Alan Smith
A 1928 Velie Monocoupe by Clayton Folkerts and Don Luscomb. (Jeremy Drey)We all know the famous names that mark the history of the light plane industry. Most of them, like Bill Piper, Clyde Cessna, or Walter Beech are names that are still with us today along with the aircraft being produced by the companies they started.
Then, there is Donald A. Luscombe who really started the idea of the private light plane back in 1927 when, with Iowa farmer Clayton Folkerts, he designed the Monocoupe – the first enclosed cabin, two-seat, high-wing monoplane to be offered to the public. Folkerts built the first prototype and Luscombe teamed up with industrialist W.L. Velie, who had previously manufactured automobiles to build the model 70 Monocoupe from 1927 through 1929 and offer it as “The Ultimate Plane for the Private Flier.” 350 were built and sold, and Don Luscombe was on his way.
Seabiscuit Author Laura Hillenbrand Talks About her Latest Unbroken
By S. Mark Rhodes
Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand has come up with another remarkable tale in her latest book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption (Random House) the rousing authentic story of Louie Zamperini who managed to live through a series of calamites that prove the old cliché that truth is stranger than fiction. In crisp descriptions, Hillenbrand narrates the story of Louie Zamperini a troubled young man who evolved into an Olympic runner and later a military hero. While on a routine patrol over the Pacific, Louie’s bomber crashed into the ocean setting off a chain of events for three years that test the limits of human endurance, fortune and fate. Ms. Hillenbrand was cordial enough to correspond about her work with In Flight’s S. Mark Rhodes.
How Bill Piper and His Piper Cub Taught America How to Fly
By Alan Smith
We all know that a number of men played a significant role in the development of the private aircraft. We know about Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, Don Luscombe and others, but only one really made a personal plane affordable to the masses. That was William T/ Piper of Bradford, Pennsylvania where he worked in his father’s oil business. He was well into middle age before he found himself moving into the airplane business and did not learn to fly until he was 60 years old.
Early in the century, shortly after the Wright Brothers had proved the powered airplane possible at Kitty Hawk North Carolina on December 17, 1903, Piper had been in the military, had been involved in the Spanish American War, and had earned a Harvard degree in mechanical engineering. He set out to get into the industrial construction business, but soon lost interest in that and returned to Bradford with his family to join his father in the oil business.
Wings at Sea
Eugene Ely and the Centennial of Naval Aviation
A century ago, the world’s navies relied on battleships to rule the seas. These giant floating fortresses of steel were built with great effort and expense by leading seafaring nations. Their size and power captivated the imaginations of millions and often influenced events ashore without firing a shot.
Against this backdrop, few would have expected the newly-invented flying machine still a frail-looking contraption of wood and fabric to play any role in a future victory at sea, much less prove to be utterly decisive. Yet one of the first steps towards the ultimate ascendancy of airplanes at sea occurred in San Francisco Bay on January 18, 1911.
Artist and Author Josh Finney Brings Aviation Comics into the 21st Century With Titanium Rain
By S. Mark Rhodes
Set in the very near future, Titanium Rain deals with the ramifications of a civil war in China spills into a more international concern. The protagonist, USAF pilot Alec Killian finds himself quickly mixed up in a conflict, which will test his morality, humanity and will to live.
Titanium Rain (Archaia Comics) is a sleek piece of speculative graphic novel storytelling with an intriguing mix of political, science fiction and aviation themes created by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha. Mark Rhodes of In Flight was fortunate enough to interview co-creator Josh Finney about his work, his interest in aviation and the decline of aviation and war comics.
Around the World in a Waco YMF-5D?
By Carl Dye
Chief Pilot and General Manager
Photos Courtesy of
Waco Classic Aircraft Company
Every now and then we get an inquiry from an intrepid aviator contemplating what is possibly the ultimate adventure in an airplane, a flight around the world.
Could it be done in a WACO Classic YMF? Yes, it is possible.
Mancation – A Man’s Vacation In Washington Wine Grunge
By Allan Kissam
The view from Bainbridge Island. (Allan Kissam)Once again, I am on the road and looking for interesting things to do while participating in wine tasting (good activity) and less enjoyable shopping. I am in a sort of time warp of suburban Seattle across Lake Washington. This is Woodinville, next to Redmond where Microsoft lives. Back in the 80’s I lived around here. What a change, but life marches on and I just try to keep up these days. Woodinville is getting big into wine tasting at traditional wineries and tasting rooms. The tasting rooms, I am told, are looked down on by the wine snobs. One big advantage of the tasting rooms is I didn’t drive across hot and dusty roads towards Yakima. These tourist-designated areas let you quickly jump from wine-to-wine and get on to lunch in a great family-owned Mexican restaurant.