Hangar flying is as old as aviation itself.
It is something airplane people do on those days when it is impossible
to fly, or after the day's flying has ended. Hangar flying can be accomplished grouped around a hangar, under the wing of a parked airplane, in an operations shack, or at the airport restaurant. Many hours, often hilarious, are spent sitting around with those of your kind.
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Hitch-Hike To Washington D.C.
- Fly Back
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This account is an adventure that is not likely to happen in this day,
but it did happen back in 1927. Two young newspaper women, were anxious to know what it would be like to fly in one of those new talked-about Fokker "Tri-Motor" airliners. The Fokker was the Flag-Ship of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Line on a route from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. and back.
For several weeks the young ladies skimped and saved up their money for
a one-way fare, plus a little more for walking around and sightseeing. They hitchhiked the 125 miles from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. which took them about 20 hours. Boarding the huge airplane for the trip back was a real thrill for them. The flight to "Philly" was a 1 1/2 hour ride which they would remember for a long time. When asked upon their return, both the ladies vowed that it was all well worth it, and looked forward to doing it again.....Only next time they would have enough money to fly both ways!
- Notice !
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A notice in a 1930's periodical - We are happy to report that Allen H. Nightingale finally soloed the Swallow at Eagle Airport. His instructor was Harvey Crow!
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Back in the 1930's there was a flying service operator in Nebraska that advertised the following:
"Fly with us and you'll never walk again"
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Sign seen posted in a US Army Air Corps parachute shop back in the 30's."You can depend on us to let you down."
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Over the doorway sign seen at a government weather station: "This is a Non-Prophet Organization."
- Noise Complaint !
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An early instance of aircraft noise as a nuisance was reported to the Postmaster General on
January 21, 1928. The complaint came from the owner of the Cackle Corner Poultry Farm in Garretsville, Ohio. The angry operator complained that noisy low-flying airplanes were scaring the dickens out of his chickens and disrupting their normal egg production. A stern letter of warning went from the Post Office to National Air Transport (NAT) who operated the New York to Chicago airmail route, suggesting that they fly higher when over Garretsville, Ohio.
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He Flew Every Day !
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Dr. John D. Brock of Kansas City set a record 60 years ago that probably stands to this day.
He flew at least once every day for 10 years without ever missing a day.
Officially his record started one day in November, 1929. He would fly every day for at least 15
minutes and see if he could do so for a year.
After he completed one year, the doctor decided he would continue on. Another year soon passed,
and then another. It became a pleasant habit - no need to stop now. His daily flights began to attract national attention. When he had flown 2000 consecutive days, Dr Brock was invited to the White House where he was complimented for his endeavor.
Flying in the dead of winter was always a problem, especially around Kansas City. Dr. John
sometimes waited all day for a break in the weather to make his 15 minute flight. He always had his log-book signed off by a witness to prove he had flown the day.
In November of 1939, Dr. John Brock, by now a national celebrity, had completed 10 full years of
consecutive daily flights. That is 3650 days when he had flown for at least 15 minutes.
Brock retired, purchased 17,500 acres deep in the Ozark hills and established what amounted to a
feudal estate, complete and self-supporting in itself. There he remained a recluse, until he died in 1953.
His record will probably never be equalled.
There are true stories, tall tales,
and yarns of bravado. Escapades that were often exaggerated in the retelling, but they most always were basic fact, fact that was surely stretched for a few laughs.
Being a clannish bunch, often on the edge of poverty or
disaster, early pilots gravitated towards one another and were quick to go where they were welcome.
It was in this way that the aviation community knew what was going on around them. If you needed a "crank" or a "jug" for your engine, a Bendix 30 x 5 wheel, or even a better prop someone could surely put you on to a good deal.
Over the years, especially the two decades of progress
prior to World War II, hangar flying had become a national ritual that
was certainly pleasant, often the creator of lasting friendships, and nearly always enlightening.
If you've never had the pleasure of attending a "hangar-flying session," by all means try it !
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