MANAGEMENT IN AVIATION HISTORY BENCH MARKS
The B-314 “Yankee Clipper” illustrated by aviation artist Dan Witkoff .
AIR SAILORS AND REPAIRS
PAA expanded to Mexico, Cuba, and the route from Panama to British Honduras. By 1937, PAA added Martin M-130 aircraft and fl ew to New Zealand and China. By 1939, PAA’s Martin aircraft were replaced by Boeing B-314s. At over 100 feet long, the B-314 Clipper’s 152 foot wingspan fl oated 20 feet above the waterline. Passengers occupied the lower
deck, connected by a spiral staircase to the cargo and crew above. Accommodations included spacious wallpapered seating cabins and a common recreation room with access to separate male and female restrooms. In addition to private sleeping berths, some ships off ered a separate compartment called the “bridal suite.” Comfort was assured throughout using air conditioning and heating.
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DOMmagazine.com | august 2016 The dining room was situated
level with the aircraft’s sponsons, the short lateral planes which added lift in fl ight and stability upon water landings as well as a boarding platform. Gourmet meals were served at tables covered with linen and adorned with porcelain dishes and silver fl atware. The B-314 Clippers were typically operated by eleven crew members (including cabin stewards and a chef.) Two crews were assigned for the longest fl ights which could be several weeks. Their private sleeping quarters were positioned at the nose of the plane beneath the cockpit and in- between the luggage compartments situated on the top level of the aircraft. Four Wright R-2600 engines could be accessed through the wings by mechanics for in-fl ight repairs.
BY GIACINTA BRADLEY KOONTZ
JUAN TRIPPE (1899-1981) FORMED PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS (AKA PAN AM AND PAA) IN 1928 CHOOSING TWIN ENGINE SIKORSKY S-40S AND S-42S TO CARRY PASSENGERS AMONG ROUTES IN SOUTH AMERICA. TRIPPE NAMED HIS NEW FLEET OF FLYING BOATS “CLIPPERS” AFTER THE ANCIENT SAILING SHIPS WHICH NAVIGATED MANY OF THE SEAS OVER WHICH HIS AIRCRAFT FLEW.
REPAIRS BY A BOAT MAN All of PAA’s fl ying boats were built and operated as much like a ship at sea as an airplane in the air and on the ground. Several Clipper Captains held mariner’s certifi cates and all were profi cient in compass and celestial navigation. When off shore weather prevented berthing, a fl ying boat landed mid-ocean amid squalls and fog, taxiing toward a dock through uncertain choppy waters. At remote destinations where no support facilities existed, a Captain made mechanical repairs to his own ship. In May of 1941, aircraft mechanic,
Henry “Hank” Anholzer [1922-2007] began working in the sheet metal shop at PAA in New York. The “luxurious” S-42s converted from day fl ights to night aerial bedrooms with 14 berths. They were 68 feet long, 17 feet high and had a wing span of 118 feet.
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