Legacy of Wings The Harold F. Pitcairn Story

This is an interesting & important book--& one that is long overdue. The story of Harold F. Pitcairn is an integral part of the development of aviation. He envisioned the future of air transport & courageously started the air mail routes known today as Eastern Air Lines, one of the world's largest air carriers. Lacking proper aircraft for the first air mail routes, Pitcairn built them: fine, strong open-cockpit bi-planes characterized by quality. The first airplane I owned was a Pitcairn PA-6. I can clearly remember the square, steel tubing that made up the frame of the fuselage, & the joy of flying this sturdy aircraft. But Pitcairn unceasingly pursued a vision of a rotary-wing aircraft--his approach to the safe aircraft--& his entire life was dedicated to the advancement of this important type of flight. Few are aware of his many inventions & the fact that most helicopters flying the world's skies today carry design basics that originated on Pitcairn's drawing board. This book is a comprehensive picture of Pitcairn, an interesting & complex person, but woven within his story is an exciting look at the history of aviation.Smith, Frank K. is the author of 'Legacy of Wings The Harold F. Pitcairn Story' with ISBN 9780961822101 and ISBN 0961822104.