Air Coach

English

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

./ ,. AIRCOACH . TRANSPORT ,.ASSOCIATION,-. INC~, REGIONAL OFFICES Location Phone New York, N. Y ............. · ... . ... ......... ... ...... . Illinois 7-5 200 Washington, D. C. . .... .. ... . .. . ................. .. Metropolitan 8-6150 Philadelphia, Pa ........ .. . .. I ........... . ..... .. ...... Orchard 3-1 700 Chicago, Ill. .. .. ... ..... . . .. . ....... . . ...... .. ..... Portsmouth 7-0232 San Antonio, Texas·'. :' . , .. .. ....... . ... . .... . ......... University 6- 1621 Seattle, Wash ............ . . . . ... : ... . .. .... . . ... ... . ..... Mutual 1190 Oakland, Calif .... , . . .... .. .. .. .. · .. · .. . .. .... ...... .. Lockha,ven 9-6770 Burbank, Calif ...... ... . . .... . ..... .. ......... . ..... Charleston 8-8304 MILITARY INSTALLATIONS Camp Kilmer, N. ]. ... . ....... . ...... . . .. .' ..... Kilmer 5-7200, Exr. 440 Fort Monmouth, N. ]. ..... . . . . .. . .. . ..... . · .. Eatontown 3-)060, Ext. 3281 Fort Dix, N. ]. . .. .. . .. .. ........... . ...... . . ·:Fr. Dix 2000, Ext. 2,1236 Fort Hamilton, N. Y .. ... ........ . ..... ..... , . .. ...... Shoreroad 8-2283 Fort Jay, N. Y ............. . . .......... .. ' .. Whitehall 4-7700, Ext. 5159 USNS, Lakehurst, N. ]. ... . .. ....... .. .. . ... . . .. . .. .. .. . .. ~ ... 8-66 31 Fort Devens, Mass .... · .. . ........ . . . . . . .... . . . ..... Ayer 31 F, Ext. 2880 Indiantown Gap, Pa ... . . . ........ .. ... . . . . .... . . Lebanon 3-260 1, Ext. 46 Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pa ....... .. ... Howard 5-1000 or 7-1322, Exr. 2247 Fort Meade, Md . . . . ... . . ....... . ............. . ........ Fr. Meade 2169 Norfolk Naval Base, Va .............. . ... .. .... ... .... 2-8'21 l , Ext. 4279 Ft. Belvoir, Va ........ : . .. . . .. . .. . ........ ... ..... Metropolitan 8-6 150 Camp Gordon, Ga ....... . . .......... . .. . .... ... ..... Bush Field 4-8901 Columbia, S. C. . ....... .. . . ... . ..... ... .. . . . . . . · .. ... .. ....... 3-7934 Camp Polk, La .. .. ........ . ....... . . . .... . .. . ................. 2960 Camp Rucker, Ala .... ...... ......... .. ......... . .. Camp Rucker 2-8041 ' Grear Lakes NTS, Ill.. . . .. ... .. . . .... . .. .. ... . . . Delta 6- 3500, Ext. 2554 Fort Custer, Mich ......... . ............. . .... ....... Battle Creek 3-4228 Camp Breckinridge, Ky .... . . ..... . .. . .. · . .. . ... Morganfield 600, Ext. 297 Fort Knox, Ky . . . ... . . .. .. .' .. .. ........... . .. ... . . . . ...... . Star 9167 Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo .... . ..... .. . . . . ... ..... . . Ft. Wood 2000, Ext. 671 Camp Crowde;, Mo .. ....................... Neosha, Mo., 1240, Ext. 254 Fort Campbell, Ky .. ' .. . ..... . .. ... ... . . ... . ... Fort Campbell, Ext. 7627 Fort Sill, Okla ............... . . .... . ....... . Ft. Sill 8255 or Lawton 7988 Camp Chaffee, Ark . ...... : ... . .... . ....... ... .. .. .... Ft. Smith 3-5936 F.ort Bliss, Texas ..... . . ....... . ........... . . Ft. Bliss 5-4611, Ext. 2-3243 Fort H ood, Texas .... . .... . ... .. . . . . ...... .. ....... Ft. Hood, Ext. 3123 Camp Carson, Colo ....... . . .... . ....... . ............ .... Empire 6-0816 Boeing Field, Seattle, Wash .... . .. . ... . .. ...... .. .... ..... Mohawk 3850 Fort Lawton, Wash ......... . .............. . . ...... . ... .. . Mutual 1190 Fort Lewis, Wash ............ . ........... Lakewood 3611 or Mutual 1190 Camp Hanford, Wash ........ .. ... .......... . ... . . North 7600. Ext. 231 Camp Stoneman, Calif .... . . . .. . .. .. ............ .. .. . .. Pi ttsburg 2-2120 Fort Ord, Calif .. . ......... . ... . ....... . . . . . .. Ft. Ord 2-7111, Ext. 3119 Manx Hotel, San Francisco, Cal if ............... . ......... Douglas 2-4103 Camp Roberts, Calif.. ... ... .. ..... ... ... . . . Camp Roberts 100, Ext. 106 1 Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif ....... ....... . . .. .. . ... . . . .. 2480, Ext. 266 Fort MacArthur, Calif .. .. .... . ...... ...... ........ . .. Charleston 8-8304 San Diego, Calit. ( Office in San Diego Hore!) . .. .... ... . . . Franklin 9-)'448 Fort Mason, Calif.. . .... . ..... .......... .. .. Prospect 6-2200, Ext. 3233 Treasure Island, Calif ........... . . ..... .. .. ... . ..... . .. Douglas 2-5 796 N aval Receiving Station, Honolulu ......... . Pearl Harbor 4711, Ext. 2-8180 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. :: .... .... . ·.: . .. . ................ ..... 86-33 15 . '· ~y 14 't..l!Jli4W04Q ilii W4£~;, . ,.$2~¢4ftWtJzt£%224Wi& 22.L&Q& ·1,,'_,, "·:.):::'.~-1-~±~t~~-- : -, •.'~' . ' .•. . . ' :"'.;'·'{_The Greatest Innovation in Commer'caal .:o· ,, \. •· :·~~~\!·?8_::} -~viation Since Airmail . I ]· ,.· I ' -=~· I ~· "' '.~;~~~#~: f t:f;";;;' '.,<'. , ..... - -< ' ·.:,.-·~. '<(~, I ·<: ...:-: ,. Q.ftA~ J I {UJ~A~. The challenging story of the independent airlines' invaluable contribution to commercial aviation has never really been told. It is a dramatic episode of modern-day pioneering in air travel. Armed only with the initiative and ambition which have become synonymous with American free enterprise, a group of air-minded veterans returned home following World War II with a dream of air transportat10n for everyone. In six short years, the piercing stimulus of the independent airlines has changed the concept of air travel from one of luxury transportation to one of transpor-tation within the means of the average American. The industry stands as onclusive proof that air transportation of passengers can be a self-supporting 'ndustry. ' 1· · .. , This story, of course, cannot be fully told in this limited space. We · ave attempted to cover only the highlights of the establishment, growth nd development of the founders of low-cost aircoach service. l 1 One of the most significant single developments in commercial avta[[On during the first 50 years of powered flight was the establishment of low-cost aircoach service, hailed by most aviation historians as the greatest innovation in commercial aviation since airmail. Prior to World W ar .II, air travel was a high-cost, luxury mode of trans-portation which approximately 90 percent of our population could not afford. It was inevitable, then, that one day a low-cost, less luxurious mode of ai r travel would be established to meet a strong public demand for economical air transportation at a price the average American could afford to pay. .An unusual combination of events and cond itions which marked the end of World War II were almost perfect for the starting of low-cost passenger air travel. The war had been fought primarily in the air. Most of the returning Air Force veterans had learned to fly and maintain planes and had seen the possibilities of air transport. The Air Force had a surplus of excellent aircraft on its hands and it stood to lose a great deal of money unless some use could be found for the planes. The Government saw in the large number of air-minded veterans a vast market for this equipment. T11e War Assets Administration offered the surplus planes to veterans at very attract ive prices, explaining how the planes could be fitted with sears and used as passenger-carrying aircraft. Many of these veterans saw a ready market for low-cost air service in the large number of civilians who had worked so hard at home during the war but now wanted to travel, by air if air travel could be brought within their means. Con-sequently, what is now commonly referred to as aircoach service was born. lines operate both .twin-engine r. , <::.-. ••· ......... ~, ... _ .4,;:\ .. . '• .. ' . -.··'l· .... - ~· Y? . . -.. · . . ;t·fi· ~ND_·._TODA . ;" .. ·. -. ·.':,. : . ~... : . ' ' During the next six years this new air transportation industry grew by leaps and bounds. Last year the independent airline industry transported ap-proximately 700,000 passengers more than 1,250,000,000 passenger miles. Significantly, first -class air travel also enjoyed a substantial increase during the past six years, convincing evidence that independent aircoach carriers are tapping an entirely new market for air travel rather than diverting passengers from the luxury service. Basically, aircoach service is only anorher expression of the mass production philosophy so vigorously espoused in this country. It is ro air travel what the bus, and railway coach are t0 surface transportation. Aircoach makes it possible for those with limited means and limited time to take advantage of fast air travel. Independ e nt aircoach pilots hold Airline Transport Ratings, the highest commercial airline pilot-rating awarded by the Civil Aeronautics Administration . .... ' ., The maintenance standards of independent aircoach lines are as high and exacting as those · of any other group of air - . lines. The maintenance standards of independent airlines ar~ as high and exa~ting as those of any other airlines in the U. S. Independent airline mechanics are highly skilled aircraft experts licensed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Every part of the aircraft is removed and inspected and checked at frequent predetermined intervals. Each independent airline pilot holds an Airline Trans-port Rating - the highest pilot rating awarded commercial pilots by the CAA. Independent airlines maintain a vigorous pilot training program and check and screen pilots as · comprehensively as any other group of airlines in the U. S. All this attention tO maintenance and safety is paying off handsome dividends. For example, each of the 4U carrier-members of the Aircoach Transport Asso-ciation attained a perfect safety record in 1952. Even more emphasis is going to be placed on safety in 1953 by ACTA's Technical and Safety Division, headed by an aviation safety expert. In addition, the Aircraft Engineering Foundation, a research corporation, established by ·ACTA Carrier-Members, is constantly developing safety improvements for air-craft operated by Foundation members . - 1 -·-- - --- · 1 You can fly independent aircoach for from one-third to one-half less than _the standard fares for air travel. Independent airlines use all-plush equipment with comfortable reclining seats. Stewardess or flight attendant service and free snacks are featured on independent aircoach flights. There are not tips or "extras" to pay. How can independent airlines offer such high airline standards for such low fares? The answer is very simple. Unlike "extra fare" airlines, independent carriers make full passenger use of the entire ship without freight or mail. Aircraft operated by independent airlines accommodate over one-third more passengers without sacrificing comfort. This economy of space is given to you, the passenger, in lower fares. Yes, safe, dependable, air travel, at a price the average American can afford to pay, is now a reality thanks to the initiative, ambition, and perseverance of the nation's independent airline operators. Given the opportunity, these operators hope to reduce the cost of flying until it is the most economical, most used, form of transportation. Under an agreement with the Defense Department, Aircoach Transport Association has employees stationed on key military installations and air carrier operating centers throughout the nation to assist Military Transportation Officers in arranging movements via independent aircoach lines. Linked by a 24-hour teletype network, these ACTA employees are able to spring into action on a moment's notice to mobilize the entire independent airline industry's airlift to meet any military emergency - to rush medical aid or troops and supplies -to an area under attack - or to evacuate casualties from an atom-bombed city. Even now mobilization of a large fleet of aircraft to speed veterans from a port of debarkation to their homes or to meet military emergencies has become a routine operation for ACTA. As an example of this service, ACTA mobilized an emergency airlift during last year's Missouri flood to rush flood fighters into the inundated area. In the first two days of this operation, 650 Army Engineer personnel were flown into the flood area. No other commercial airline group was in a position to answer this emergency. -··---·-1 . · ;1COMPARISON OF TRAVEL COST - COAST TO COAST ,.., . ft!; . :TRAVELING BY ... FARE FOOD & VALUE OF TIME AND SERVICE TIME at TOTAL TAX TIPS $10 per day $99.00 Tipping 12 to 1 Hours 14.85 not $5.00 $118.85 AIR COACH $113.85 pennitte ~ $49.80 4 Days 7.47 $24.00 $40.00 $121.27 BUS $57.27 ~ $88.81 3 Days 13.32 $18.00 $30.00 $150.l 3 RAIL COACH $102.13 11 to 12 $157.85 Tipping Hours 23.68 not $5.00 $186.53 PREMIUM-FARE $181.53 permitted AIR LINES .-=;-~ $140.70 3 Days _1ill $18.00 $30.00 $209.80 PULLMAN $161.80 The military has come to recognize the independent airline industry as a vast' airlift reserve which will be of great value in defense emergencies. More and more, the military is turning to independent airlines for movements of military personnel. Not only does this enable the pilots, mechanics, and tech-nicians employed by the industry t0 keep alive the know-how of military aviation which most of them learned during the war, but it also means a considerable savings to the taxpayer in that the cost of moving personnel by aircoach is considerably less than the cost of movements by other means of transportation. At the height of the Korean airlift, independent airlines were transporting more than 60 percent of the cargo assigned t0 commercial airlines and in supporting the Berlin airlift these carriers flew over 50 percent of the cargo transported by commercial air carriers. Independent airlines operate more than 170 large passenger and cargo transport aircraft, each suitable for emergency military use with little, if any, modifications. For further informolion write lo the Public Relations Department Aircoach Transport Association, Inc. Suite 208-11, Wyatt Building, Washington, D. C. ., 

The Story of Aircoach

https://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&amp;context=aviation-pioneers-association

The Story of Aircoach

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University