The early days of U.S. airmail service were characterized by a unique partnership between the military and the postal system. Initially, Army pilots and aircraft were instrumental in launching the first scheduled routes, demonstrating the viability of air delivery. However, this arrangement was always intended as a temporary measure. The eventual transition to civilian control and the subsequent contracting of airmail services to commercial airlines
marked a crucial turning point, shaping the future of both mail delivery and the burgeoning aviation industry in the United States.
Military Origins and Training Ground
The first scheduled U.S. Air Mail service, which began on May 15, 1918, was a military operation. It utilized six converted United States Army Air Service Curtiss JN-4HM "Jenny" biplanes, flown by Army pilots under the command of Major Reuben H. Fleet. This initial route connected Washington, D.C., and New York City, with an intermediate stop in Philadelphia. The involvement of the military was not merely for logistical support; it was also seen as a vital training opportunity.
During the planning of airmail, the U.S. was preparing for World War I, and there were significant concerns about the state of American airpower, including obsolete aircraft and a scarcity of trained pilots. Post Office and military officials believed that airmail operations could serve a dual purpose: increasing the speed of communication while simultaneously improving the skills of military aviators. By flying the mail, novice pilots could develop essential long-distance flying and aerial navigation skills, which were critical for military readiness.
The Shift to Civilian Management
After four months of being flown by the Army, all flight operations for the airmail service were officially taken over by the U.S. Post Office Department's Aerial Mail Service on August 12, 1918. This marked a significant transition from military to civilian control. The Post Office Department began using a fleet of six purpose-built JR-1B mail biplanes, designed and constructed by the Standard Aero Corporation of Elizabeth, New Jersey. These aircraft were flown by civilian pilots specifically hired by the Post Office Department, signaling a professionalization of the airmail service.
This shift allowed for greater focus on the postal mission and the development of more efficient routes. Following this transition, the first scheduled east-west service between New York and Chicago commenced on December 17, 1918, after a series of "pathfinder" flights. The move to civilian pilots and dedicated mail planes underscored the growing commitment to airmail as a distinct and essential service, separate from its initial military training role.
The Rise of Commercial Air Mail Contracts
The evolution of airmail continued with the introduction of Contract Air Mail (CAM) service. The Kelly Act of 1925 authorized the U.S. Post Office to contract with commercial air carriers to fly mail over designated routes. This legislation was a game-changer, as it directed the Post Office to transition from operating its own airmail service to outsourcing it to private companies. Many of these new contract routes were designed to connect with the existing government-operated transcontinental airmail route between New York and San Francisco.
The first two CAM routes, CAM-6 between Detroit (Dearborn) and Cleveland, and CAM-7 between Detroit (Dearborn) and Chicago, began operation simultaneously on February 15, 1926. These contracts were awarded to the Ford Motor Company, operating as Ford Air Transport. Initially, operators were compensated at a rate not exceeding four-fifths of the revenue derived from the air mail. This compensation structure was later changed on July 1, 1926, to a rate based on the total weight of the mails carried on each flight. By September 1, 1927, all U.S. air mail routes, including the previously government-operated Transcontinental Route, were being flown under contract by commercial carriers. This complete shift to commercial operation laid the foundation for the modern airline industry, with airmail revenue providing crucial financial support for these nascent companies.
