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“Pennsylvania”, off the coast of Long Island and fly to Governors Island in N Printed red cachet on Special New York Times souvenir card November 2, 1916 ”Bud” Mars fly a Cutiss biplane from a special platform built on the S.S. The first flight was to have aviator J.C. The United States “Pioneer Period” is considered to be from 1910 – 1916.

A total of 97 United States Pioneer Flights are recorded. Mail prepared for these flights, even if not actually flown, are of collectible interest. The events generally required that the aviators be sworn in by Post Office officials. Most exhibitions were assigned six digit route numbers and either had Local Postmaster or United States Post Office Departmental approval. Some flights were merely a circle around the airfield while others were flown a small distance to a nearby town and the pilot would drop the bag to waiting post office officials who would then forward the items to the intended destination.ĭifferent styles, dates and ink were used making various collectible varieties. The officials would hand the mail bag to the pilot who would place it somewhere in the airplane or hold it in their lap. In many cases, the cachets were used as the postmark. These were prepared to show that the mail was used at the event and many times would include the route numbers which had been provided by the Post Office Department. Once collected, the postal officials would postmark the items and in many cases a “cachet” would be added. A sub-station post office was usually set up to receive and handle mail close to where the airplanes would depart. Individuals interested in obtaining “flown” items would deposit addressed cards or covers with appropriate postage in mail boxes provided at the events. Promoters would publicize the events and indicate that mail could be sent by “air mail”. Post office sub-station set up for the Country Club Aviation Exhibition held August 10-11, 1912 in Portland, Oregon

To promote this idea, enthusiasts saw an opportunity to show the feasibility of flying mail by fixed-wing aircraft during established aviation meets, demonstration events, circuses and fairs. Early in the development of the airplane, many envisioned using planes beyond military service to include the transportation of mail and passengers.