When Was The First Flight Carrying Passengers: Did you know that while many people are familiar with the Wright brothers as the inventors of the first airplane, not everyone is aware of the first passenger airplane? In this article, we will go through all the fascinating details and shed light on this lesser-known aspect of aviation history.
When Was The First Flight Carrying Passengers
On Jan. 1, 1914, history was made with the inaugural flight of the world’s first scheduled passenger airline service from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL, a short distance of 17 miles (27 kilometers). The St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line may have only operated for four months, but its impact was long-lasting, paving the way for the convenient transcontinental flights we enjoy today.
The International Air Transport Association reports that Tony Jannus, a skilled test pilot and barnstormer, assumed responsibility for piloting the first flight. The honour of being the first paying passenger goes to Abram C. Pheil, who had previously served as the mayor of St. Petersburg. Their journey from St. Petersburg to Tampa was a brief one, lasting only 23 minutes. The aircraft they boarded was a “flying boat” crafted by Thomas Benoist, an aviation entrepreneur from St. Louis, as confirmed by the State Historical Society of Missouri.
Launch Of First Commercial Airline
Percival Elliott Fansler, a sales representative from Florida working for a company that manufactures diesel boat engines, developed a keen interest in Benoist’s advancements in creating aircraft capable of water takeoffs and landings. The two individuals began exchanging letters, leading Fansler to suggest the idea of establishing a commercial airline route between two locations, as reported by Tampapix.com, an online repository of Tampa’s historical information.
Fansler presented the concept of establishing an airline route connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa. During that era, the journey between these two cities, located on opposite sides of Tampa Bay, necessitated two hours via steamship or up to 12 hours by rail. Traveling by car around the bay consumed around 20 hours. However, a flight would only take about 20 minutes.
The First Pilot To Fly For A Commercial Airline
Jannus had already established himself as a well-known personality in the field of aviation. With his charming demeanor and adventurous flights, he was hailed as the ultimate embodiment of a romantic aviator. The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society portrays him as a bold daredevil who had a penchant for women, often finding himself in daring situations with protective fathers and even dating celebrities. Jannus was not afraid to take risks, whether in matters of love or in the face of war.
Jannus showcased flying skills, assessed military aircraft, and operated long-distance airplanes and airboats. He was the pilot for the initial trials involving airborne machine guns. On March 1, 1912, he flew Capt. Albert Berry for the first parachute jump from an airplane. By 1913, at just 24 years old, he had established himself as one of the key investors in the Benoist Aircraft Company.
Flying Boats
A Benoist airboat Model 14 was transported to St. Petersburg via train. It had a weight of 1,250 lbs. (567 kilograms), a length of 26 feet (8 meters), and a wingspan of 44 feet (13 m). The airboat was equipped with a Roberts 6-cylinder, 75-horsepower engine that was liquid-cooled and in-line. The maximum speed attainable by the vehicle was 64 mph (103 km/h). The hull consisted of three layers of spruce with fabric in between, while the wings were constructed with spruce spars covered in linen. The aircraft was designed to accommodate a pilot and one passenger seated side-by-side on a single wooden seat.
First Commercial Flight In The History
On New Year’s Day in 1914, the first flight was launched with grandeur and ceremony. A crowd of around 2,000 people made their way from downtown St. Petersburg to the waterfront to observe the auction of the inaugural ticket. Pheil, a warehouse professional, secured the ticket with a bid of $400 (an amount surpassing $11,200 in present-day value).
Prior to takeoff, Fansler delivered a short address, declaring, “What seemed unattainable yesterday is now a triumph, with tomorrow promising the unimaginable,” as stated by the Tampa Bay Times. Following additional speeches and numerous photos, Jannus and Pheil managed to fit onto the cramped wooden seat. As the aircraft ascended, Jannus waved to the enthusiastic crowd.
Maintaining a low altitude of no more than 50 ft (15.2 m) above the water, he skilfully piloted the plane. However, while en route to Tampa, the engine experienced a misfire, prompting him to make an emergency landing in the bay. After making necessary adjustments, he successfully took off once again. Upon landing at the entrance of the Hillsborough River near downtown Tampa, Jannus and Pheil were greeted by an exuberant crowd of approximately 3,500 people, who cheered, clapped, and waved in celebration.
Pheil conducted his business by making a purchase worth several thousand dollars for his wholesale company. By 11 a.m., Jannus and Pheil had returned to St. Petersburg after a flight that lasted less than an hour and a half.
A Lot More Passengers
The airline operated two flights each day, six days per week. The standard ticket price was $5 per person (equivalent to around $140 in today’s currency) and an additional $5 per 100 pounds of cargo. Reservations were fully booked for 16 weeks ahead. Benoist introduced a second airboat, allowing flights to reach the neighbouring cities of Sarasota, Bradenton, and Manatee. Roger Jannus, Tony Jannus’ brother, served as the second pilot.
Operating for almost four months, the airline managed to transport a total of 1,205 passengers. However, with the departure of Florida’s winter residents heading back north in late March, there was a sharp decrease in passenger interest. On April 27, Tony and Roger Jannus bid farewell to Florida by captivating the audience with an extraordinary air show over Tampa Bay, marking the end of their flights in the region.
The brothers persisted in conducting exhibitions, carrying out aircraft tests, and providing pilot training. Unfortunately, on Oct. 12, 1916, Tony Jannus met with a tragic accident while training Russian pilots, resulting in his plane crashing into the Black Sea. Regrettably, his body was never found.
During his aerial patrols over France, Roger Jannus encountered a fatal accident, resulting in his demise on September 4, 1918.
In honour of Tony Jannus, the Tampa and St. Petersburg Chambers of Commerce came together in 1964 to form the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society.
Additional Resources
If you’re interested in exploring the inner workings of today’s commercial airlines, there is a wide array of books available. However, if you’re specifically looking for a comprehensive account of the history of commercial flight, I highly recommend “Turbulent Skies: The History of Commercial Aviation” by T. A. Heppenheimer, published by Wiley in 1995. For a more accessible historical guide with captivating illustrations, “The Aeroplane Speaks” by H. Barber, originally published in 1917 and reissued by CGR Publishing in 2020, is an excellent choice. Lastly, if you’re seeking a fact-filled guide to the major and regional airlines of the U.S.A, “Wings Over America” by Michael Coscia, published by Bluewater Press in 2009, is a valuable resource.
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