A Barnstormer Aviator. My personal journey to scarf and goggles flying in the 1930s.
Living in the 1930s, with nary a nickel in his pocket an immigrant’s son learned to fly. This was Nick’s story written by him 50 years after that first solo. Come back to the time when crashes were common, navigation was “I follow roads”, scarf and goggles were standard pilot gear and barnstorming was the way to get folks out to the airport for a ride.
Written by a pilot from the 1930s who tells his story of learning to fly in Clarence Chamberlin’s airplanes and becoming a barnstormer, who founded the Jersey City Flying Club, Clifton and Whippany airports. He tells his adventures in flying the Hisso Standard, Swallow two place with OX5 and Kinner engines, Waco, Great Lakes, along with the Consolidated Trainer, as well as the Curtiss Fledging, Eaglerock, and many other biplanes of the times.
In the book you’ll also find archival treasures and their stories: Snapshots of airplanes and his adventures in them, Excerpts from his hand-written training manual for the 1929 Lincoln Sport Biplane, Newspaper clippings from the 1920s.
“This true story written by a New Jersey biplane pilot, is filled with names, places, aircraft and adventures from the golden era of aviation! What a fun read.” James P. Adams, ATP, Gold Seal Flight Instructor, Retired FAA Operations Inspector, FAASTeam Program Manager
“This book gave me insight to the circuitous path budding pilots, who were just part of the general population, had to follow to learn to fly. I loved the misadventures, calamities and comradery depicted among the early aviators that Nick described.” Nova Hall, author of Spirit and Creator, The Mysterious Man Behind Lindbergh’s Flight to Paris.
General aviation pilots from the 1920s and 30s are at times overlooked especially those from New Jersey. As the industry grew in New Jersey, few chronicled the struggle to provide flight schools, airports and flying clubs for would-be aviators seeking to fly those incredible scarf and goggles machines. This book describes the trials and tribulations, adventures and mis-adventures, and the insider stories of early aviators such as Clarence Chamberlin, Eddie Gorski, Chet Coons and George Stone. Documented with original photos, this book is an archival treasure of New Jersey flying in the golden age of aviation. - Ralph Villecca, Executive Director, Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum Of New Jersey
96 pages