centennial
the original historical event. But it seems that store owner Max Morehouse was also a
sharp businessman, for he more than recovered his money by selling small pieces of the silk attached to postcards that celebrated the world’s first-ever cargo delivery by air.
RETRACING HISTORY On 2 October this year, the Ohio-based National Aviation Heritage Alliance in partnership with Wright B Flyer Inc recreated the first-ever cargo flight using a replica flying machine based on the design of the Wright Model B aircraft. Built to meet modern airworthiness standards, the
replica is a robust aircraft with a steel structure and a modern aircraft engine. The two-man machine uses ailerons instead of wing warping and a control wheel instead of the original control levers to steer. The empty weight is 3,400lb, compared to the 1,400lb loaded weight of the original Wright Model B. A spokesman for Wright B Flyer Inc pointed out that for
additional safety reasons the commemorative flight was held on 2 October, when the weather would be less hostile for the modern-day pilots of the open-air flying machine. Phil Parmelee, who made the original flight, reportedly nearly froze while completing it – and he chose to take the train home afterwards rather than to fly. This time two pilots undertook the journey, sharing a task
that Parmelee had handled by himself. The weather was also a little kinder. Mitch Cary, president of Wright B Flyer Inc and one of the pilots of the centennial flight, noted: “Phil flew his flight alone and while the temperature for our flight made for a chilly ride, it was several degrees warmer … making his accomplishment even more significant.” Accompanied by Richard Stepler in the second pilot’s
seat, the flight took off on time and circled over Huffman Prairie before heading towards a refuelling stop at Madison
Philip O Parmelee: 1887 – 1912
PHILIP ORIN PARMELEEwas considered to be one of the best- trained early aviators in America. Born in St. Johns, Michigan he was a protégé of Wilbur Wright. Apart from his inaugural air freight
journey, Parmelee held a number of other ‘first’ records. He was the first pilot to instruct members of the fledgling US Army Air Corps on how to use wireless communications and to drop a parachutist. He was also the first pilot employed to search for
criminals from the air. Parmelee held the American
endurance record in aviation and often stayed in the air for up to three hours
– and in the early days of aviation that was quite a feat. Only two years after his air cargo
feat, Parmelee took part in a flying display in North Yakima, Washington. On this occasion he had been aloft for only three minutes when a gust of wind caught the tail of his aeroplane and turned it over. Only 27 years of age, Parmelee clung
to the framework of the aircraft as it plunged 400ft to the ground in front of a large crowd. He was killed instantly.
AIR LOGISTICSCHINA 45
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