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This object is on display in America by Air at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

America by Air
Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s) Last Operational Air Beacon in the U.S. Brief Description Night flying presented special hazards for air mail pilots. In the 1920s, the Post Office established a system of lighted airways marked by powerful rotating beacons. Placed 16 km (10 mi) apart, they rotated every 10 seconds and were visible 60 km (40 mi) away. Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Ground Control Apparatus Physical Description Airway Beacon Light, last one operational in USA. A 24" rotating beacon light, with coded red signal light and control units. Top five feet of tower included. Removed from Crestline, Whitewater, California (near Palm Springs). Dimensions 3-D: 185.4 × 172.7 × 454.7cm, 438.6kg (73 in. × 68 in. × 14 ft. 11 in., 967lb.)
 Materials Steel, aluminum, copper, glass, paint
 Alternate Name Airway Beacon and Tower Inventory Number A19730705000 Credit Line Transferred from the Federal Aviation Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use. You may also like A Guiding Light: The Airway Beacon Tower April 05, 2019