CAM Contract Air Mail First Flights AM-66

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web-catalog CAM Contract Air Mail First Flights AM-66

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Page ccAM066 (Revised 11/16/2007)

Background: The Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act) authorized the postmaster general to contract for domestic airmail service with commercial air carriers. It also set airmail rates and the level of cash subsidies to be paid to companies that carried the mail. By transferring airmail operations to private companies, the government effectively would help create the commercial aviation industry. Various routes were designated and contracts for carrying the mail over these routes were then awarded to many different private air service companies. The Contract Air Mail routes became known as CAM's.

AM-66: AM-66 was awarded to United Air Lines. United Air Lines began on July 1, 1931 as the holding company of four air carriers, Boeing Air Transport (CAM-18), Varney Air Lines (CAM-5), Pacific Air Transport (CAM-8) and National Air Transport (CAM-17). Each of these contributing airlines flew different types of aircraft when taken over by United. After consolidation, United Air Lines introduced the twin engine Boeing 247 to initially fly some of its mail routes.
The Boeing 247 was the first low-winged, all-metal, twin-engined, autopilot, retractable landing gear air transport flown on scheduled airlines. Its speed, comfort and safety created excitement and was quickly accepted by the public, making all other transports immediately obsolete. The 247 made its first flight on February 8, 1933 and made its inaugural first flight (UAL) between Portland OR and Salt Lake City UT on April 12, 1933. UAL was awarded AM-66 and on May 1, 1945 began flight service between Boston MA and Cleveland OH.

UAL purchased a huge fleet of over 100 Douglas DC-3's.

66W1 450501 Boston MA UAL William P Miller $6.00

66W1f 450501 Boston MA UAL William P Miller $7.50

66W2 450501 Hartford CT UAL William P Miller $4.50

66E3 450501 Cleveland OH UAL Theodore W White $112.50

66E3f 450501 Cleveland OH UAL Theodore W White $11.25

66E2 450501 Hartford CT UAL Theodore W White $4.50

INDEX: First Flights by CAM Route #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

INDEX: First Flights by AM Route #

INDEX: First Flights by Experimental Route #

INDEX: First Flights by AM Route #

INDEX: First Flights by Air Taxi Services Route #

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