Airline Pilots Once Performed A Second Service That Was Crucial For The Country

About a century ago, a pilot's job was limited. There were no passengers or domestic flights, as aviation travel was used only by the military, but a handful of ingenious minds saw the potential in flying machines. Soon, pilots were taking on more responsibility, including one little-known service crucial to the advancement of the United States.

Early Ways

Less than a decade after the Wright Brothers were successful with their early prototypes, the U. S. Army Signal Corps wanted to find a way to help aviators train before deployment in Europe during World War I. Officials didn't want to waste fuel and air time, however, so these flights served an additional purpose, too.

Pilot Onboard

The set route for the inaugural training flight was from Washington, D.C. to New York City on May 15, 1918. Lieutenant George Boyle (left) was chosen to take control of the Curtiss JN-4H named “Jenny." But the plane's engine never started because of an empty gas tank. Aviation experts planned a second attempt.

Mid-Flight

When Lt. Boyle finally got his plane fueled up, he took off. One of his commanding officers, Major R.H. Fleet, had secured an aerial map to Boyle's leg. Up in the air, however, the young Lieutenant realized he was going in the wrong direction. He needed to touch down or risk losing fuel thousands of feet up.

Rough Landing

Lt. Boyle spotted a farmer's field with plenty of space, but as he landed, the Curtiss JN-4H was damaged, messing up the field that had only recently been plowed. The cargo on the plane and the Lieutenant had to be transported back to Washington, D.C. But what had the plane been carrying for this debut mission?