Transcontinental Aerial Derby

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The Transcontinental Aerial Derby, sometimes referred to as the Double Transcontinental Aerial Derby, was an airplane race from New York to San Francisco and back (or vice versa), held in October 1919 by the Aerial League of America.

Every state in the union, and every participating aero club, was expected to enter participants.[1]

There were two entry classes: single-engine and multi-engine.[1]

The winner was Belvin Womble Maynard of North Carolina, an aviator in the Army Air Service during the war.[2][3]

Maynard won the race by completing it in the smallest overall time; however, other contestants including Captain J. O. Donaldson had lower total flight times.[4]

First prize was $20,000; total prizes exceeded $100,000.[5]

The race was promoted by Aerial Age Weekly, whose editor was on the committee.

Committee

ALA president Robert Edwin Peary appointed a large committee of leading organizers in postwar aviation, including:[1]


Event names Transcontinental Aerial Derby, Double Transcontinental Aerial Derby
Event type competition
Country US
Locations New York City, New York, San Francisco, California
Start date 1919-10-08
Number of days 6
Tech focus Airplane, passengers, Propulsion
Participants


References