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Milestones of domestic air transportation in the past 50 years are highlighted. Many early innovations were of European origin. Lindbergh’s flight accelerated the use of airplanes as a means of domestic transportation. The DC-3, prior to World War II, achieved a high degree of standardization and established a foundation for future airline growth. After World War II, converted military transports were primary means of conveyance. Phenomenal growth of air travel is due to increased speed, safety, and comfort brought about by use of four-engine planes, automatic pilot, cabin pressurization, and improvements in electronic guidance systems. Basic problems such as over-capacity, need for greater standardization, better ground facilities, and efficient servicing of local air traffic face the airlines today.

Certain atmospheric temperature changes have been observed to be a factor in detecting the occurrence of clear air turbulence, especially at jet altitudes above 25,000 feet. Data for this study were collected on 146 flights during the year while riding as an extra crew member in the cockpit of airline and military jet aircraft. The aircraft instrumentation in the research program included a portable test instrument to detect temperature changes as well as the normal components of an air data system and temperature sensors. A comparison between several rates of temperature change was made in an effort to determine which would indicate actual flight conditions most efficiently. From flight observations using the portable test instrument, a rate of temperature change of 1.0°C per minute was found to be the most useful criterion for correctly indicating flight conditions in the majority of cases.