"Flying too High" by Steven Pomper

"Gary Drescher" wrote in message
...

Yet the FAA not only allows VFR flying in the absence of a visible
horizon, it even allows you to log instrument time when flying VFR under
those conditions. That's why I conclude that the primary purpose (these
days) of the IFR-VFR distinction concerns separation rather than
instrument flying per se.


The first airway of any distance to have a continuous radio-marked course
went into full-time operation in November 1928 between New York and
Cleveland. Separation would not be provided on it until 1935.

("Steven P. McNicoll" wrote)
The first airway of any distance to have a continuous radio-marked course
went into full-time operation in November 1928 between New York and
Cleveland. Separation would not be provided on it until 1935.


1935? How did that work?


Montblack

"Montblack" wrote in message
...

1935? How did that work?


The first Airways Traffic Control Center was established at Newark on
December 1, 1935. Centers at Chicago and Cleveland would soon follow. They
were initially operated by the airlines with the expectation that the
federal government would assume control of them. That occurred in July
1936. As more Centers were established in the following years more airways
became controlled.

("Steven P. McNicoll" wrote)
[snip]
As more Centers were established in the following years more airways
became controlled.


How did they plot all of those planes' positions? Pilot reports or their own
triangulations?

With no radar, what were the controllers doing in the late 30's, waiting for
pilots to call in and tell Center where they thought they were?

Curious how things worked before radar?


Montblack

"Montblack" wrote in message
...

How did they plot all of those planes' positions? Pilot reports or their
own triangulations?


Position reports and filed speeds were used to plot positions of aircraft on
a large map table initially. Eventually the map table was dispensed with
and controllers just used the "map" in their heads.



With no radar, what were the controllers doing in the late 30's, waiting
for pilots to call in and tell Center where they thought they were?


Not pilots, Center controllers didn't have direct pilot/controller radio
communications until the early fifties. Position reports and clearances
were relayed via telephone through Airway Radio Stations (Renamed Airway
Communication Stations in 1938, Air Traffic Communications Stations in 1958,
and Flight Service Stations in 1960. That's why we address FSS as "Radio".)
and airline dispatchers.

The first Airways Traffic Control Center was established at Newark on
December 1, 1935. Centers at Chicago and Cleveland would soon follow.
They were initially operated by the airlines with the expectation that the
federal government would assume control of them. That occurred in July
1936. As more Centers were established in the following years more
airways became controlled.

Steven, can you recommend a good "History of the Airways" book that covers
all this kind of stuff?

I am better versed than average on the history of aviation, but I'm pretty
fuzzy on the details of ATC history.

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:w4X0f.213977$084.171985@attbi_s22...

Steven, can you recommend a good "History of the Airways" book that covers
all this kind of stuff?


"Air Traffic Control" by Glen A. Gilbert, published in 1945. Glen Gilbert
is known as "The Father of Air Traffic Control", he developed most of the
early procedures. He was the first manager of the Chicago Airway Traffic
Control Center. He wrote another book in 1973, "Air Traffic Control: The
Uncrowded Sky".


DOT had published a series of books on the history of civil aviation policy:

"Bonfires to Beacons: Federal Civil Aviation Policy Under the Air Commerce
Act, 1926-1938", by Nick A. Komons, 1978.

"Turbulence Aloft: The Civil Aeronautics Administration Amid Wars and
Rumors of Wars, 1938-1953", by John R. M. Wilson, 1979.

"Takeoff at Mid-Century: Federal Civil Aviation Policy in the Eisenhower
Years, 1953-1961, by Stuart I. Rochester, 1976.

"Safe, Separated, and Soaring: A History of Federal Civil Aviation Policy,
1961-1972, by Richard J. Kent, Jr., 1980.

"Troubled Passage: The Federal Aviation Administration During the
Nixon-Ford Term, 1973-1977, by Edmund Preston, 1987.

Steven, can you recommend a good "History of the Airways" book that
covers
all this kind of stuff?


"Air Traffic Control" by Glen A. Gilbert, published in 1945. Glen Gilbert

Big Snip

Wow, thanks. I have a feeling me and Amazon are going to be getting to
know each other better, soon!

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:Q9b1f.403853$_o.383045@attbi_s71...

"Air Traffic Control" by Glen A. Gilbert, published in 1945. Glen
Gilbert


Big Snip

Wow, thanks. I have a feeling me and Amazon are going to be getting to
know each other better, soon!


You're welcome. I don't know what kind of luck you'll have locating a copy
for purchase, but you should be able to find it through interlibrary loan.
The DOT series of books I mentioned are still available for purchase.

http://www.faa.gov/about/history/history_pubs/