Section
4: Barnstorming and Air Mail
Aviation
arrived in North Dakota not as a means of transportation so much as
a public exhibition - show business. Exhibition flying was enormously
popular in 1910 when a plane thrilled crowds at the State Fairgrounds
in Grand Forks. Returning World War I pilots "barnstormed" North Dakota
communities to earn money by performing aerial stunts and then giving
rides for a fee.
Early attempts at passenger
plane service in North Dakota failed until Congress gave out air mail
service contracts that became a sort of government subsidy. This subsidy
brought North Dakota's first regularly-scheduled airline in 1931 when
Northwest Airways extended its route to Winnipeg flying via Fargo,
Grand Forks and Pembina.
Federal subsidies continue
to support air service in Devils Lake, Jamestown and Dickinson. Experts
say North Dakota is in the right position to become a regional hub
for air freight services. Grand Forks is already a regional hub for
Federal Express.
Chronology
|
1903
|
Wright brothers
make world's first powered flight.
|
|
1910
|
First powered flight
comes to North Dakota
|
|
1919
|
Barnstorming becomes
popular in North Dakota
|
|
1925
|
Contract Air Mail
Act passes, helping airline services begin business.
|
|
1927
|
Charles Lingbergh
flies across the Atlantic.
|
|
1931
|
Northwest Airways
extends service to Fargo Grand Forks, and Pembina.
|
Discussion Questions
How was aviation
first introduced to North Dakota?
What problems did
people who tried to start air service in North Dakota encounter?
How was this solved?
What is the future
outlook for North Dakota air travel?
Vocabulary
- Wright brothers
- Frank McGoey
- Barnstorming
- "Jenny"
- Charles Lindburgh
- Northwest Airways
