After last week's WACO débâcle, we must return to Monomails one more time. It's available here:
http://tinyurl.com/storm-monomail. (Next week we go to something slower that we've flown before, and the following week to something much faster that will be brand new to most people.)
Week 10: North Platte, NE to Cheyenne, WY via Sidney, NE. (Note the original flights did not stop at Sidney; that is just for our convenience.) Depart: KLBF (Lee Bird Field, North Platte). Original 1920s airmail departure airport. Intermediate stop: KSNY (Lloyd W. Carr Field, Sidney). Arrive: KCYS (Jerry Olson Field, Cheyenne). Original 1920s airmail destination, that had "Jerry Olson" appended to its name in 2004. Aircraft: Boeing 221A Monomails only. Flight plans and maps here. |
From our destination Cheyenne Airport's website:
It was back in 1911 that Cheyenne had its first glimpse into the world of aviation. While the aerial demonstration that year during Cheyenne Frontier Days was considered less than impressive, it marked the beginning of what would become a rich aviation history.
The U.S. Post Office gave Cheyenne the first real aviation boost with the introduction of air mail service across the United States from Chicago to San Francisco following World War I. Buck Heffron piloted the first air-mail flight destined for Salt Lake City, UT. The pilot was one of the many brave aviators who took off on daring flights guided only by limited instruments, landmarks, and a few road maps. The Airport served as one of the few destinations along the airmail route, and eventually became the maintenance base for Boeing Air Transport which eventually became United Airlines.
The Airport was not without its share of celebrated visitors. Famed aviators such as Charles Lindbergh and his “Spirit of St. Louis,” Amelia Earhart, and Capt. Elroy B. “Jepp” Jeppesen were among the few to touch down on its runways over the years.
Our overall progress so far...
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