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Thomas E. Steptoe, an early proponent of Airmail service, learned to fly at the Sloane Flying School, circa 1910. A paper on aviation in the postal service, which he wrote in 1916, urged adoption of Air Mail Service. Mr. Steptoe was granted his 'Expert Pilot' certificate by the Aero Club of America 26 April 1920. He was also a member of The Early Birds.
NASM.XXXX.0229
Steptoe, Thomas E.
1911-1958
Thomas E. Steptoe, gift, unknown, XXXX-0229, NASM
0.23 Cubic feet ((1 slim legal document box))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Included in this collection are numerous photographs of early Sloane, Deperdussen and Bleriot type aircraft. Newspaper clippings, photos and letters pertaining to the establishment of airmail service are an integral part of the collection. Photos of pioneer aviators such as Adolph Pegoud, Alys McKey Bryant, Percival Reid, Agnes Firth, and others are contained herein. Of interest are photos of the airship Hindenberg (purported to have been taken on her final voyage), a letter from Al Williams concerning the return of the Wright Flyer from London, and letters from the Christmas Aircraft Company.
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Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States
Aeronautics, Commercial
Aeronautics -- 1903-1916
Aeronautics
Air mail service
Sloane Aircraft Family
Bleriot Aircraft Family
Deperdussin Aircraft Family
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Scrapbooks
Correspondence
Clippings
Photographs