SAFER SKYWAYS : Federal Control of Aviation, 1926 - 1966

Less than a century ago, the pioneers of American aviation were " flying by the seat of their pants " in private and public exploits that would today seem shudderingly risky. In those days of derring - do lived the legendary pilots of the First World War ; the transatlantic skippers ; the aerial photographers ; the crop sprayers ; and the other determined and visionary pilots who experimented with airmail and passengers and freight service, providing a shaky - and yet important - basis for tomorrow's epoch - making industry.

This complex and exciting panorama of early aviation development is detailed in this well - documented account. ( ... ) Safer Skyways reflects in this analysis our significant national growth in scientific aviation. Ironically, public clamor against governmental control of aviation 40 years ago has become today's impatient demand for stricter control and more stringent measures. Our air travel problems continue to exist : strikes, crashes, mergers, and the like are ever - present. The jet and space ages are here and the supersonic commercial air travel age is just over the horizon. ( ... )