Perhaps a forum member on the other side of the pond can help with this…….?
Do records of private pilot’s licences issued in the USA, in the 1930s, still exist? If so:
– by whom are such records kept?
– are they publicy accessible?
– are they consultable online?
Furthermore in the 1930s would a foreign national, taking up temporary residence in the USA, have been able to fly there by virtue of a licence issued in his home country or would he have had to obtain a US private pilot’s licence for the purpose?
With my thanks in anticipation.
AA
By: avion ancien - 17th July 2014 at 10:52
Thank you, Bager1968. Your historical resumé of US aviation regulation is most interesting and your suggestion that I approach the FAA is one which I will follow.
By: Bager1968 - 16th July 2014 at 23:50
From May 20, 1926 control of civilian aeronautics in the US was the responsibility of the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce. In fulfilling its civil aviation responsibilities, the Department of Commerce initially concentrated on such functions as safety regulations and the certification of pilots and aircraft.
The Aeronautics Branch was renamed the Bureau of Air Commerce in 1934 to reflect its enhanced status within the Department.
In 1938, the Civil Aeronautics Act transferred the federal civil aviation responsibilities from the Commerce Department to a new independent agency, the Civil Aeronautics Authority.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt split the authority into two agencies in 1940, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). CAA was responsible for ATC, airman and aircraft certification, safety enforcement, and airway development. CAB was entrusted with safety regulation, accident investigation, and economic regulation of the airlines. The CAA was part of the Department of Commerce. The CAB was an independent federal agency.
The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 gave the CAA’s functions to a new independent body, the Federal Aviation Agency. The act transferred air safety regulation from the CAB to the new FAA.
In 1967, a new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) combined major federal responsibilities for air and surface transport. The Federal Aviation Agency’s name changed to the Federal Aviation Administration.
So, I’d contact the FAA, as they are the direct successor of the continuously-operating pilot licensing apparatus of the US since 1926.
By: avion ancien - 12th July 2014 at 13:17
Sound thinking, that man! I’ll take a look at its website in the hope that it carries either an e-mail address or a contact form.
By: RPSmith - 12th July 2014 at 12:44
Are these questions you might direct at The Smithsonian???
Roger Smith.
By: avion ancien - 12th July 2014 at 10:31
Last try!
Assuming no-one knows, can anyone suggest, at least, another appropriate forum (maybe in the USA) where I might pose these questions?
By: avion ancien - 10th July 2014 at 09:29
Just a gentle bump……
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July 8, 2014 at 2:50 pm