AIR DAY: We promised readers some more observations from Bradford’s “air day,” the day commercial flight service began at the Bradford-McKean Airport on Sept. 8, 1948.
“It was a great occasion in the city’s history. It was a day that opened on a somewhat dismal note as low ceiling canceled the arrival of the first regular flight in the morning. But a blue sky peaked through before noon and the afternoon ceremonies were staged under a warm sun.”
One of the biggest accomplishments for the new air service was an increase in the speed and capacity of the postal service.
“The first flights into Bradford handled a big volume of airmail and air express. The Railway Express Agency reported that 65 pieces of air express weighing 794 pounds from various area industries and stores were placed aboard the ship. P.J. Denman, postmaster, said 4,200 pieces of first class mail and one pouch were consigned to the first flight. Incoming air express for a store totaled 22 pieces weighing 280 points. A shipment of streptomycin for the Bradford Hospital arrived on the incoming flight.”
During the day’s festivities, the Otto Township High School band “handled the musical part of the ceremonies in excellent fashion.”
As fate would have it, a flight arrived as one official was giving his speech, which the reporter described as follows: “One part of the program couldn’t have been timed any better. As Ralph Zook was making his address during ceremonies at the airport via WESB, the regular eastbound flight circled the port and glided in for its landing. And it gave Mr. Zook an opportunity to mention this fact as a colorful addition to his remarks. For a moment, the prominent Bradford oil figure played the part of a radio announcer and gave listeners a brief description of the arrival of the first regular air service flight in the history of Bradford.”
In the days leading up to “air day,” excitement was mounting in the area.
The Era reported on Sept. 1 that the first ticket for air travel from Bradford airport had been purchased.
“Miss Ruth Melvin of Interstate Parkway appeared to have captured the honor of being the first Bradford passenger to use the regular service. Miss Melvin has booked passage on the westbound flight leaving Bradford at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday. She will fly to Chicago.”
