The Barnstormers

1. The Barnstormers

2. Chapter Overview • The Barnstormers • Flight Goes Mainstream • Commercial Flight, Airmail, and Helicopters Chapter 3, Lesson 1

3. Lesson Overview • The barnstormers • Major contributions of the barnstormers • How the barnstormers contributed to public awareness of aviation Chapter 3, Lesson 1

4. The Barnstormers • A barnstormeris a pilot who travels around the country giving exhibits of stunt flying and parachuting • The term barnstormingcomes from the time pilots would fly over a small rural town to attract attention, then land at a local farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI6STwhPCuI

5. Stunt Flying • In the 1920s the term became attached to stunt flying • Historians give stunt pilots like Bessie Coleman credit for sustaining the aviation industry during its early years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckEiKzCBqc

6. Entertaining Spectators • Barnstorming shows drew crowds of spectators—people who come to see an event or show—during and after WWI • Some pilots worked in teams • Their acts were called “flying circuses” • Once the war was over, these pilots became the public face of American aviation Chapter 3, Lesson 1

7. End of War • On 14 November 1918, three days after the war ended, the US government canceled $100 million worth of airplane contracts • Within three months, 175,000 workers in the aircraft industry lost their jobs • Aircraft production dropped by 85 percent • The Army dumped its surplus warplanes onto the market Chapter 3, Lesson 1

8. Former Army Pilots • Many of the barnstormers were former Army pilots • Since military aviation had been cut back, a large number lost their jobs • They leaped at the opportunity to keep flying • These pilots enjoyed showing off the skills they had mastered in combat Chapter 3, Lesson 1

9. Significant Barnstormers • Bessie Coleman was just one of several Americans who gained fame as barnstormers • They helped move aviation into the public eye Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Wright State University

10. Flying Dangers • For the barnstormers, flying was in some ways less risky than it had been for combat pilots • No enemy guns fired on them • But flying, especially stunt flying, was still dangerous • Many of the barnstormers died in air accidents • Among them were Bessie Coleman and another pilot named Lincoln Beachey Chapter 3, Lesson 1

11. Lincoln Beachey • Beachey (1887–1915) was one of the top barnstormers • Orville Wright called him “the greatest pilot of all time” • In his Curtiss biplane, Beachey thrilled crowds with his dives Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Hill Air Force Museum

12. Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie • A number of women also were taking to the skies—among them was Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie • She ran her own flying circus • She was the first woman in the United States to become a licensed transport pilot • In 1933 she also became the first woman appointed to a federal government job in aviation Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Hill Air Force Museum

13. Major Contributions of the Barnstormers • Historians call the years between 1919 and 1939 the “golden age of aviation” • Pilots set one record after another • They flew faster and attained greater altitude—the height above Earth’s surface • They served as test pilots Chapter 3, Lesson 1

14. How Airplanes Evolved • Airplanes changed from slow-moving, cloth-and-wood structures to faster aircraft made of metal • These planes were more aerodynamic—designed with rounded edges to reduce wind drag • Engines became more reliable Chapter 3, Lesson 1

15. Aviation Enthusiasts • Wealthy aviation enthusiasts—strongsupporters or fans—began to offer prizes for the first pilot to achieve a certain goal • Newspaper owner William Randolph Hearst offered $50,000 to the first pilot to fly across the United States in 30 days or less • Raymond Orteig offered $25,000 for the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris • Pilots competing for both prizes found their engines weren’t up to the task Chapter 3, Lesson 1

16. Richard E. Byrd Polar Exploration • Within a few years, engines had improved enough to make transatlantic flight possible • Some pilots then turned to a new challenge: polar exploration Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Hill Air Force Museum

17. Richard E. Byrd • Trained as a flier, Rear Adm Richard E. Byrd advanced both aviation and polar exploration • In 1926 he and his pilot were the first to fly over the North Pole • In 1929 Byrd flew to the South Pole Chapter 3, Lesson 1

18. Barnstormers Contributed to Public Awareness of Aviation • The barnstormers’ demonstrations didn’t do away with people’s fears about flying • After all, spectators sometimes saw dreadful accidents • But the barnstormers’ air shows certainly created an interest in flight, even in rural areas and small towns • They publicized the airplane and brought romance to flying Chapter 3, Lesson 1

19. Barnstormers Contributed to Public Awareness of Aviation • Some people believe that without the barnstormers, aviation might have died altogether in the United States Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute

20. Review • A barnstormer is a pilot who travels around the country giving exhibits of stunt flying and parachuting • In the 1920s the term barnstormingbecame attached to stunt flying • Barnstorming shows drew crowds of spectators Chapter 3, Lesson 1

21. Review • Many of the barnstormers were former Army pilots who lost their jobs after WWI ended • Many of the barnstormers, including Bessie Coleman and another pilot named Lincoln Beachey, died in air accidents • Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie was the first woman in the United States to become a licensed transport pilot Chapter 3, Lesson 1

22. Review • Historians call the years between 1919 and 1939 the “golden age of aviation” • Trained as a flier, Rear Adm Richard E. Byrd advanced both aviation and polar exploration • Some people believe that without the barnstormers, aviation might have died altogether in the United States Chapter 3, Lesson 1

23. Summary • The barnstormers • Major contributions of the barnstormers • How the barnstormers contributed to public awareness of aviation Chapter 3, Lesson 1

24. Next…. • Done—the barnstormers • Next—flight goes mainstream Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of the Library of Congress