Status: Active
Description: Scheduled Transcontinental Air Mail service flown between New York (Hazelhurst Field, L.I.) and San Francisco (Marina Field [16]) began on September 8, 1920, over a route laid out in July and August. The transcontinental mail was originally flown only during daylight hours, although on February 22, 1921, a nighttime leg on this route (Omaha to Chicago) was flown for the first time. The first daily Transcontinental Air Mail service involving both day and night flying over the entire route was opened on July 1, 1924, which reduced the time of the trip from more than 70 hours to a schedule of 34 hours 46 minutes Westbound, and 32 hours 3 minutes Eastbound. In addition to New York and San Francisco, the route included thirteen intermediate stops where mail was exchanged and aircrew relieved. This was accomplished at airfields located at Bellefonte (PA), Cleveland (OH), Bryan, (OH), Chicago (IL), Iowa City (IA), Omaha (NE), North Platte (NE), Cheyenne (WY), Rawlins (WY), Rock Springs (WY), Salt Lake City (UT), Elko (NV) and Reno(NV). Many of the original airfields (New York, Chicago, Cleveland) no longer exist while others (KSLC, KSFO) have grown into the airports we know today . This tour represents the route flown by aviation pioneers. Tour created by MEC174 Henry M