Air Transport FactsOur Air Lines Increase Their Average Daily Flying Every Year
Of the average total of 158,537 miles flown daily by our air lines in and out of the United States (based on figures for Sept. 1933) the air mail lines averaged 151,019 miles daily, including 124,154 miles with mail. The mail lines did 26,865 miles of daily flying with passengers and express for which they received no mail payments. Non-mail operators averaged 7,518 miles of flying daily.
Before he is entrusted with the controls of an air transport plane a pilot must first have had at least 1,200 hours experience as an aviator, and he must have a thorough knowledge of all his instruments. The average salary of an air line pilit is $6,500 a year.
For every pilot on the air lines there are 6 persons employed on the ground to see that he makes his trip swiftly and efficiently.
After every flight, flying equipment is inspected by a trained crew of mechanics charged with a definite list of things to check and report on. The plane is in the care of specialists 2 hours for every hour spent in the air.