The Barnstormers

The Barnstormers

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

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

Warm Up QuestionsCPS Questions(1-2) Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Comstock Images

Quick Write If you’re trying to reach a goal, it helps to have a supporter, as Bessie Coleman did—someone who has confidence in you and convinces you that you can achieve your dream. Describe an experience when you or someone close to you got support in reaching a goal. (Note to Instructor: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS) Chapter 3, Lesson 1

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 Chapter 3, Lesson 1

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 Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of NASA

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

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

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

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

Learning Check #1CPS Questions(3-4) Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Comstock Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Review QuestionsCPS Questions(9-10) Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Courtesy of Comstock Images

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

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

The Barnstormers