The Role Of Aircraft Communications

September 24, 1929  In the 1920s there was slow but steady progress in the development of cockpit instruments for flying during inclement weather. With proper training, a pilot could fly a straight and level course or could execute predetermined turns, climbs, and dives, simply by watching the flight instruments while flying in rain or fog that hid the ground from his view.

However, he had to have radio navigational aids to assist him in determining his exact location above the ground; it was admittedly foolish and dangerous for him to begin a descent without knowing, for example, his position with respect to mountain ranges.

Fortunately, aircraft and ground radios were also being steadily improved and by the late 20s, they began to evidence the degree of range and reliability that was required. The world was now ready for history's first all-blind flight. This milestone was achieved on September 24, 1929 when Lt. Jimmy Doolittle, working with the Guggenheim Foundation, took off from Mitchel Field, Long Island, N.Y., flew a 15-mile course, and landed safely without ever seeing the ground.