Covering their bases as they plan to cover the globe. Veterans Air applies to CAB for routes.
Impressive plans. Complex routes.
Thankfully, John Greenleaf, Sr. kept a copy of this CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board) application for a permanent Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience that included an impressive route map. Greenleaf, Jr. found it among his father’s papers. Unfortunately, it is not dated. And we have no idea if or when it was submitted.1 However, in creating this Post and more recently updating it with Footnotes, indications are that this Application became the third CAB Application – based upon the Signatory and a September 2, 1946 press clipping. Read on.
On the other hand … it almost doesn’t matter – almost! Because the very fact that this document ever got researched and drafted is a huge disclosure of the seriousness of Veterans Air Express’ intentions and expectations.
My “discovery.”
O.K., I was almost ready to “publish” this Post the first time. Was just formatting the Application as a PDF for easy navigation and legibility. And I finally realized what we have here! Remember that Veteran Air Express started life (as this CAB application states in Section 4) “engaged in Air Transportation as a non-scheduled and contract carrier.” But this application was looking toward their next stage of service. And I totally missed it! When I first read the document, I totally missed the two most significant words — permanent (in the Application title & lead paragraph) and scheduled (Section 2). Most unfortunately, this was a stage Veterans was not destined to attain. (And a subject I have promised to research in depth and share with you. But not today.)
But now…take a closer look…there’s more!
Veterans-Air-CivilAvtnBoard-Application_Stevenson-PRES_source-GREENLEAF_dupThe Application proves startling. The cover indicates that the document will be submitted by Harvey G. Stevenson, Attorney for Applicant. But page 4 was prepared for Harvey’s signature as President, Veterans Air Express Company! This is the first I hear that my Dad was not President of the company until the last. All the more unfortunate that the Application is not dated. However, and again, perhaps the September 1946 clipping below is telltale.
Definitely something to untangle.
Dear Reader, the following “Post Script” perfectly demonstrates how “Chronology is not a researcher’s luxury.” The next four news releases were published in March, July, September and December 1946. The clippings “surfaced” during my research in October 2017, June 2016, February 2023 and June 2016 respectively.
- A release dated March 18, 1946, announces that Veterans Air Express and Veterans Airlines joined eight other “Uncertificated Operators” to organize the Institute of Air Transportation, Inc. 2 NOTE: As early as March 1946, the Non-Skeds felt the need to “forestall criticism” about their safety and maintenance standards. Still, it took until December for the Institute to create a Maintenance Advisory Board – headed by Saunie Gravely. [Keep reading.]
- The July 22, 1946 issue of Aviation News carries two mentions of Veterans Air Express. The first referencing them as among the “larger [non-scheduled] operators” and “the only carrier listing DC-4s…two of them.” The second reference is to Personnel (including Gravely as President) and the most detailed reporting so far of any Company revenues – between April 15 and June 15, 1946 and submitted to the CAB.3
- A 13-line clipping dated September 2, 1946, reveals Veterans Air’s clear intention for their “future” and their tenacity regards the CAB.4 Plus, this September 1946 date clearly confirms a third CAB Application – the first two having been submitted on March 25 and July 31, 1946.
- The clip dated December 23, 1946, reveals Saunie Gravely, former president of Veterans Air Express, would be head of a maintenance advisory board for the Institute of Air Transportation.5 Thus confirming that, at least by this date, Saunie was no longer with the company he founded. We have no clue of a separation date – or cause.
Press dated March 18, 1946, announces that Veterans Air Express and Veterans Airlines joined eight other “Uncertificated Operators” to organize the Institute of Air Transportation, Inc. [This article surfaced in October 2017.]
1946-07-22_AVIATION-NEWS_Non-Skeds-Ops-Data-CAB_VAE-stats-personnel_pg-17_EXCERPT_correction3
And, finally, Dear Reader, after all of this, if you have any idea or any “connections” for me to track down any of the “dated and signed” Veterans Air Civil Aeronautics Board filings, especially the third one, I’d greatly appreciate hearing from you.
My best,
Gaye Lyn