Commercial air mail started in Washington state. Plans to celebrate 100 years later
When a biplane took off from an airfield in Southeast Washington on April 6, 1926, it marked a turning point in the future of flight.
It was the first commercial U.S. Air Mail flight. The plane departed from a dirt runway in Pasco, made a stop in Boise, Idaho, and landed in Elko, Nev., carrying more than 200 pounds of mail. The trip took 5 1/2 hours.
Tri-Cities’ role in commercial aviation history will be celebrated throughout the next year, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the historic flight.
Pasco-based Varney Air Lines was awarded the first air freight contract that would link the Northwest to the government-operated Transcontinental Air Mail route. Varney ultimately became United Airlines after a series of mergers.
Aviation centennial
Planning is already underway for next year’s centennial in Pasco.
The Historic Preservation Commission, Pasco Aviation Museum’s centennial committee, Pasco Chamber of Commerce and Pasco School District will partner to organize several events and history exhibits. There also are fundraising efforts planned.
Malin Bergstrom is a dedicated champion for Pasco’s aviation history. She is a commissioner on the Historic Preservation Commission.
Bergstrom told the Tri-City Herald that the centennial would include a fly-in event featuring local and regional pilots and antique planes on display.
There also are plans to reveal a new exhibit inside the Tri-Cities Airport’s main terminal that would focus on the commercial air mail flight.
Pasco students will be invited to participate in a poster contest and STEM activities to explore aviation as a career.
Bergstrom helped open the Pasco Aviation Museum in 2019 and is the owner of Bergstrom Aircraft, her family’s business on the east side of the airport.
An expanded exhibit is set to open this spring at the museum.
The Pasco Aviation Museum is open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, from April-November.
