Charles Collar -- a pioneer aviator who later became an Air Safety Chief for the National Transportation Safety Board -- tells how, as aviation grew from its beginnings as a sport for daredevils into an important form of transportation and shipping, it was necessary to create more safety measures to protect the flying public. Along the way you will find often humorous stories of barnstorming risk-takers, rum-runners, early naval air schools, and descriptions of some of the first passenger flights, as well as details of aircraft accident investigations.
Of his decision to join the Bureau of Safety of the Civil Aeronautics Board (later the National Transportation Safety Board) Collar said, "I decided that since I had done as much unsafe flying as anybody, I might make Air Safety Investigator material... I was quite enthusiastic about working hand in hand with the pilots and the aviation industry to make aviation safe." But after working for the government for 26 years, it became quite apparent to him that money and politics were more influential than the simple desire for the safety of the flying public and he discloses how the zeal to promote aviation, and other political maneuvering, jeopardizes safety in many cases.
