sedona legend helen frye

Standard Air Lines-

"The Fair Weather Route"

Standard Air Lines- 1926 To 1930

As president-founder of Aero Corporation of California & Standard Air Lines- Jack Frye establishes the 1st scheduled airline passenger service- Los Angeles-Phoenix-Tucson

Jack's business partners and co-founders of Aero Corporation
& Standard Air Lines- Paul E. Richter & Walter A. Hamilton

Arizona's Very 'FIRST' Air Line Service and the Foundation

of Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. (TWA)

Sedona Legend Historical Series

Tucson Arizona- A very special celebration on November 28, 1964. This beautiful commemorative plaque displayed at the Tucson International Airport pays tribute to Standard Air Lines. It was mounted on the 37th anniversary of Tucson's very first commercial air service, Standard Air Lines, which was launched by Jack Frye. American Airlines acquired some of the assets of Standard Air Lines after the W.A.E. merger.

Standard Air Lines Milestones

November 28 & 29 1927- Standard Air Lines established first round trip scheduled passenger air service between Los Angeles-Phoenix-Tucson.

February 4, 1929- Standard Air Lines launches the First U. S. Coast-to-Coast Transcontinental Plane-Train Service- (Los Angeles-El Paso-St. Louis-New York) adding stops at Douglas and El Paso.

Contrary to what has been at times advertised in vintage publicity, Transcontinental Air Transport, TAT, (The Lindbergh Line) was not the (first) on July 7 - 8 1929! This is an 'oft repeated error.

August 4, 1929- Standard Air Lines launches luxury Fokker
tri-motor service.

Because of the historical significance for the State of Arizona and aviation history- this page has been showcased with an ample amount of historical newspaper documentation.

Arizona Air Line Opened

Load of Passengers and Four
Carried on First Hop for Phoenix and Tucson

November 29, 1927
As reported in newspapers

Loaded with an initial shipment of parcels and with four passengers in the cabin the first flight of the new Los Angeles-to-Phoenix and Tucson air line started at 10:00 a.m. yesterday, when Jack Frye, president of Aero Corporation of California, gunned the big Fokker plane toward the morning sun.

The plane, which is a six-passenger and pilot ship, capable of a cruise speed of 110 miles an hour, with a service load of 1800 pounds, is one of two recently tested and made ready for the regular six-hour Los Angeles-Tucson and Tucson-Los Angeles service.

In the passenger chairs were Charles Baad, manager of the Biltmore; John H. Gage, president of the John H. Gage Development Company of Arizona; Warren McArthur, Arizona automobile distributor; and S. Milnor, head of the Biltmore antique stores.

Just as the plane was about to start down the runway for the takeoff, a Bach air yacht circled the field and a note was dropped congratulating Aero Corporation on the start of a new air line. It was signed by Capt. Walker F. Parkins, inspector for the aeronautical bureau of the Department of Commerce.

Mr. Baad and the members of his party left the plane at Phoenix to remain today. They plan an inspection of the site for a new hotel near the city. On the return trip of the plane from Tucson today a crate of grapefruit will be included in the express packages. It will leave Tucson at 8 a.m.

Please Note: This air trip also heralded the very beginning stages of the now world famous Frank Lloyd Wright Phoenix-Scottsdale Arizona Biltmore!

Various Press Releases of the Events-

November 28, 1927

(old) Tucson Municipal Airport

(Charles Mayse Airport)

The Arizona Republic- June 6, 1948
(20 Years Of Air Progress)
Caption reads: Phoenix's first airline service, Standard Airlines to Los Angeles, started by Jack Frye was provided by this single-engine Fokker. Frye who later headed TWA for years is fifth from the left. Third from the left is Frank Jefferson. For another image of Jack Frye and this plane please see the Tucson Airport Authority Website. The 1927 photo appears on page 3.

The event of November 28, 1927 was monumental for Tucson and Phoenix and the state of Arizona, which was most grateful to Standard Airlines and the 23-year-old Frye. Jack was issued the very first commercial airline license in the state of Arizona; "License Number 1." Quite an honor! All the billions of dollars that Arizona has raked in from tourism through the years started at this time period and in part with Jack Frye. This aviator and his pioneering airline are credited with turning Arizona from a dry sand-swept wasteland into a tourist mecca of which the result is evident today.

Through his interstate air line Frye promoted Arizona heavily. He personally flew celebrities, tourists and investors to Arizona for socializing, recreation and development. Many were personal friends who later bought property and businesses here. Jack believed in Arizona, a state he considered his adopted state. By 1948, he was reported to own over 50-thousand-acres of Arizona ranch land here. The people and business interests he brought to the State of Arizona were invaluable! Jack, at the end of his life, was in process of negotiating a major aircraft manufacturing plant for Tucson, a city he loved, and was developing a new aircraft partnership venture with industrialist and aviation enthusiast Howard Hughes.

Read about the true beginnings of Transcontinental and Western Air- TWA

FIRST PASSENGER AIR EXPRESS SERVICE
TUCSON-PHOENIX-LOS ANGELES (11-28-27)

President Frye Pilots Passenger Carrying Plane In On Time,
Inaugurating Service; Early Transportation Event Recalled
November 29, 1927. (Standard was a Fokker service air line!)

Just 47 years, 8 months, 8 days and 6 hours after the first railway train puffed its way into Tucson amid the firing of 38 guns and the blaring of a military brass band, the first regularly scheduled passenger and express plane glided easily into a Tucson airport, heralding the coming of a new phase of commercial transportation, and giving Tucson another contact with the outside world.

In place of the sedate mature Charles Crocker, president of Southern Pacific Railroad Company, who headed the delegation of officials and passengers who came to Tucson at 11:00 a.m., March 20, 1880, was the youthful Jack Frye, president of Aero Corporation of California, who piloted his plane to the Mayse Airport at exactly 5 p.m., November 28, 1927. And in place of a number of other mature officials who came with Crocker were a number of youthful young men. R. E. Edwards, vice-president of the air corporation and a former Tucsonan was the first to alight on the local field. He was followed from the comfortable cabin by O. E. Whitman, assistant to D. G. Spilsbury (sic) of the Arizona Industrial Congress, and Wayne Richardson of the Associated Press Bureau in Phoenix. With them they brought a consignment of mail and express.

Hundred View Arrival
More than a hundred aviation fans had gathered at the airport yesterday afternoon to greet them on their arrival. Several thousand gathered 47 years ago to see the big iron horse pull into the local station. A more sophisticated public is among the changes wrought in the interim. A large basket of flowers was the gift of Tucson to the air pioneers yesterday afternoon while 47 years ago Tucson presented the transportation pioneers with a silver spike. And met them with a brass band and a salute of 38 guns, that took them through the streets in a parade, and staged a banquet and "soiree" that lasted many hours, being terminated only when Saturday turned to Sunday and religious duties called the revelers to their homes.

In Two Sections
Accompanying the big Aero Corporation monoplane was a smaller plane, an Eagle Rock biplane, which came over from Los Angeles to carry extra express, and to bring a pilot here who will fly the second Aero Corporation monoplane back to the coast. The second plane has been in a hangar for several days. The Eagle Rock plane was piloted by Leo Schoenhair as passenger-pilot. Jack Frye, who piloted the plane (Fokker F-VII) on its maiden trip, will fly back to Tucson tomorrow on the second run of the schedule, bringing another pilot with him who will take the plane back. Frye will remain in Tucson for several days on business and will go to Phoenix before resuming his piloting work. R. A. Edwards who came all the way over from Los Angeles on the first trip is staying here today and will return tomorrow or on a later trip.

First Plane On Time
Business-like and punctual, the passenger and express plane which came to Tucson yesterday afternoon on schedule left this morning at 8 a.m. exactly on schedule for the return trip. Sam Elrod local realtor, L. C. James, automobile dealer, and the Mensrs. Whitman and Richardson occupied seats in the cabin of the plane, while behind them were a number of express packages for Phoenix and the coast. Early this afternoon the plane will be back in Los Angeles, and by the time this paper is in the hands of subscribers, the first round trip will have been completed and be but one important episode in Tucson's history of transportation.

When First Train Came
The coming of the first regular express and passenger plane recalls stirring events of the coming of the first train. The mayor and council together with fully a hundred committeeman backed by thousands of Tucsonans greeted the train upon its arrival at the depot. The Hon. William S. Oury welcomed the iron horse to Tucson and the Hon. Esteven Ochoa presented the officials with a silver spike, made from silver mined at the Tough Nut mine in Tombstone. Business houses of the city were closed and homes and business house were not only decorated but "illuminated" that night, in honor of the occasion. From the depot the procession moved with stately regality. The parade having been carefully planned by a "carriage" committee, led to Park Hall, where an elaborate banquet was served, toasts given and later a soiree' held. Committees named Mayor R. N. Leatherwood for the occasion, were the following: reception, finance, arrangements, invitations, introduction, toasts and speeches, decorations, floor managers, and carriages. The names of these committeemen read like a directory of Tucson's "Who's Who of 1880." and include a few pioneers still residents of the city, many, fathers of present day merchants.

Toasts Were Drunk
Following a sumptuous meal the toasts began. First it was "To the President," then "To the Southern Pacific," then "To Tucson," "To the Army," "To Bench and Bar," To Commerce," and "To Our Sister Republic." The list ran on and on with full respect being given those and many others. "To the Press," "To Mining," "To Pioneers," "To the Postal Service," To Education," and finally, "To Absent Friends." Each toast called forth choice oratory of the day, to such extent that two full pages of a local Tucson weekly newspaper were required to chronicle these words of wisdom. It was at this banquet that decision was made, so Tucson legend runs, to send the Pope a telegram telling him about Tucson being connected with the outside world, to which was replied, "Where the Hell is Tucson?" The Tucson wag who faked the reply was never caught. Fully 100 people attended the grand soiree' which followed the banquet and filled Park Hall to overflowing that evening. Music was furnished by the Sixth Cavalry band of Fort Lowell. The dance terminated shortly after midnight. Other accounts recall how Tucson celebrated for a week's time.

Tribute to Steam
"The railroad comes," a newspaper duly recorded, "like a giant anaconda, embracing the continent in its coil and its ponderous machinery breathes the vitality of civilization in sonorous respirations, breaking the silence of the desert and awakening the feverberations (sic) of the mountains for the first time since the planet commenced its revolutions in the universe." "The ancient pueblo of Tucson is roused from the lethargy of ages and is embraced by the net work of the civilized world," it continues. "The vitalizing power of steam infuses new energy into the merchants, new hope into the miner, brings comfort to the farmer, and sends the products to busy hands in the hum of human industry." "The railway comes booming across the desert a thousand miles," the account runs, "from the Golden Gate to Asia, without a subsidy, without a land grant, without a mortgage on posterity, and is as welcome to Arizona as the fertilizing stream that makes the desert bloom like a rose." (Mayse Airport is where the now Tucson Rodeo Grounds is in South Tucson.)

TRAVEL BY AIR AIDS BUSINESS TUCSON'S SAY
Elrod and James Urge Use of Planes for Trade Trips

Dateline- November 29, 1927

If you haven't taken an air trip from Tucson to Phoenix, you haven't seen nothin' yet, according to L. C. James and Sam Elrod, local business men, who yesterday were passengers on the first passenger plane to leave the city for Phoenix and the coast. The Tucsonans were two of the four passengers carried out this morning on the return trip of the first round-trip made by the Aero Corporation of California. An hour and ten minutes after they left the Mayse Airport here, they were in Phoenix. Both transacted business there during the day, and returned to the city on the train last night, the train time being slightly in excess of 4 hours. "The air trip to Phoenix is well worth the cost from the scenic standpoint alone," said Mr. James who is a dyed-in-the-wool air fan. "The view of the mountains and valleys with the cultivated areas looming up is excellent. In addition the time and convenience of traveling by air makes it a particularly good mode of travel."

"In the future I will make my trips to Phoenix by plane, and when we are after deliveries I will send a man to Phoenix by plane, so he can be back in the city by early afternoon, and still so a half day's work here." Sam Elrod, local realtor, who is particularly interested in the development of the Granada Fig Farms, was impressed with the view of the state obtained by such a trip. "It is the coming mode of travel," he said this morning, "after my arrival in Phoenix, I went to Casa Grande by automobile, transacting some business there in addition to the Phoenix trip, returning to the city by train last night."
"I have been interested in the Casa Grande valley for some time, but did not know before I made this trip, just how much land there really was in cultivation there, and the progress being made." Both recommended the trip to their friends and predict prosperity for the air line just established.

TRIP DEDICATES NEW AIR ROUTE

Plane Completes Circle On Arizona Line-
Regular Schedule Adopted For Flying Service
Woman of 68-Years Among Passengers

As reported in the Los Angeles Times- November 30, 1927

Marking the opening of regular air passenger and express service between Los Angeles and Arizona, a party of officials of the Aero Corporation of America, operators of the line, Los Angeles hotel men and others arrived here yesterday after having completed the first round trip over the new route.

Among those in the plane was Mrs. Warren McArthur of Phoenix, who made the return trip with her son, Warren McArthur, Jr., president of the Arizona Chapter of the National Aeronautical Association. �I may be 68 years of age, son,� said Mrs. McArthur, when she stepped out of the plane at the Aero Corporation field, (Burdett Airport- L.A.) �but I am still up-to-date.�

The Passengers- Besides Mrs. McArthur and her son, those who made the initial trip included Lieut. W. Jack Frye, president of the Aero Corporation, pilot; Richmond A. Edwards, vice-president of the concern; T. S. Lundgren, aviation representative of the Union Oil Company of California; James Woods, vice-president of the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Biltmore; Charles Baad, resident manager of the Biltmore; John H. Gage, chairman of the board of the Arizona Biltmore; and Nate Milnor, importer.

�The purpose of our trip was to inspect the 600-acre holding of the Arizona Biltmore Corporation on which we propose to build a $2,4000,000. Biltmore, the fifteenth in the chain,� Mr. Baad said. �We expect to begin construction by March 1, and have the building ready for a Christmas celebration next year.�

About 200 pounds of express packages were carried from Los Angeles manufacturers to Arizona merchants and 75 pounds were carried on the return trip, including a box of Arizona grapefruit consigned to President McGary of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce from P. G. Spilsbury (sic) of the Arizona Industrial Congress, and a box of fresh-cut flowers for W. H. Thompson, vice-president of the Los Angeles- First National Trust and Savings Bank from his friend Charles Morton at Phoenix.

Schedule Of Line- Planes operating in the new air service will leave the Aero Corporation field on Western Avenue Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m., returning from Tucson Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m., with a twenty-minute stop in Phoenix.

The outbound trip was made to Phoenix Monday in three hours and fifty minutes and the return in three hours and fifty-seven minutes. Passenger rates are $47.50 from Los Angeles to Phoenix, $60 from Los Angeles to Tucson, and $12.50 from Phoenix to Tucson. Express rates are $1.60 per pound from Los Angeles to Tucson, $1.30 from Los Angeles to Phoenix, and 30 cents from Phoenix to Tucson.

Initially the pilots for this new Standard Air Line passenger service were:
Jack Frye, Paul E. Richter, and Lee Willey.

Comments From Jack Frye- President of TWA- 1937

On September 17, 1937- ten years after the historic event notated above, Jack Frye was interviewed by the Amarillo Globe newspaper. By this time he had spun the little Standard Air Lines into the mega-cross-country air service called Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. (TWA) The article appears below in part-

�I carried my first passenger for pay up for a spin over the landing field for $5 in a single-seat army type plane,� recalls Frye. A period of barnstorming and selling planes followed, then aviator Frye decided there ought to be profit in an air line. So he bought himself a six-place cabin ship and started making hops from Los Angeles to Tucson, Ariz., by way of Phoenix. The plane left Los Angeles one day and returned the next.

�The plane wouldn�t hold enough gasoline to fly it all the way to Phoenix, so I regularly sat down on the highway, at Desert City, Calif., taxied up to a filling station and took on fuel.� said Frye. We never knew in Los Angeles whether the plane reached Tucson or not, but there was an understanding that if it didn�t the pilot would send us a telegram.�

Frye stated at a later date that another benefit to stopping at Desert City California, (seemingly what we now call "Desert Center" California, on I-10) was that women passengers could deplane, use the service station restroom and freshen-up. The early planes had no bathrooms, at least for women.

First Transcontinental Air Flight for the United States with "Paid" passengers was piloted by Jack Frye, president of Standard Air Lines- (Aero Corporation of California)

Passengers Come From East By Air
Fokker Ship To Be Used in Fort Worth Service
Carries Two Across Country

August 11, 1927 Los Angeles Times

The first transcontinental airplane to reach Los Angeles with paying passengers aboard dropped to earth here yesterday. It was a large Fokker Universal plane bought by the Aero Corporation of California to be put in service with seven others between this city and Fort Worth. The passengers who left New York in the plane last Thursday were H. J. Tucker of New York and B. E. Devere of Los Angeles, and the pilot was Lieut. Jack Frye, president of the corporation.

No attempt to make speed was made, the flight being for the purpose of demonstrating the safety and practicability of air travel. There were stops at Washington, Dayton, St. Louis, Kansas City, Muskogee, El Paso, and Fort Worth.

According to Lieut. Frye, passenger service on the line will be started about the middle of September unless present plans are changed. Meanwhile the ship will make a number of flights from the airport at Ninety-ninth street and Western Avenue.

To show that the plane was in excellent shape after the trip, Lieut, Frye hopped off after the long journey for a flight over Los Angeles with newspaper men as passengers.
(It is assumed the reporters didn�t have to pay a fare.)

Back Story

Mayse Airport-Tucson Municipal as it is seen in fall of 2009

The events detailing planes landing, in the previous articles, occured at this location back in 1927, @ 6th and Irvington Avenue, in an area now known as 'South Tucson.' When Jack swung his Fokker in for a landing on the then primitive runway, he likely saw little in the way of houses, boulevards, or businesses, as we do today. The old airfield is now utilized by the Tucson Rodeo Museum. Little remains of the original trappings of the airport which incidentally was the very first municipally owned and operated airport in the U.S. However it is easy to visualize the dusty acres as having once been a very busy early landing field for the small town of Tucson. Interestingly, at this same time frame, Jack Frye owned the largest private air field in the Western United States (Burdett Airfield) at Los Angeles. It was from this location that he established commercial air service to Casa Grande, Phoenix, Tucson, Douglas, and El Paso, etc. He was also the first person to land a (land plane) on Catalina Island and established weekend shuttle service to Big Bear Lake, near Los Angeles. For more information and to view a wonderful historical website detailing early Tucson aviation- please click here! To visit the Tucson Rodeo Parade Web Site, please click here.

The famous president and founder of Standard Air Lines and TWA was associated with this air field in early Tucson!

Jack Frye can truly be considered the 'founding father' of the very first Tucson Airport Commercial Air Service-

Formerly a full-time Tucson resident and now part-time, I am proud of this community and it's history. My work here was with the airline industry, and at Old Tucson Studios. Jack Frye was also very fond of Tucson. In the late 1950's, he passionately promoted a new aircraft plant for the community, (the last effort was at the end of his life, as associated with his good friend Howard Hughes.) I am proud that the man who established the very first commercial airline service for Arizona, as President of Standard Air Lines, is no longer forgotten by Tucsonians, but recognized for his contributions.

The Jack Frye Ranch in Sedona, is now the "Crown Jewel" of the Arizona State Park properties, as Red Rock State Park. tragically, Jack died in Tucson, killed by a drunk driver in 1959, at the intersection of Palo Verde Blvd and Ajo Hwy. Jack was a true aviation pioneer in every sense of the word, yet through the years he has received little of the accolades he deserves. He was instrumental in the creation of the Douglas Commercial Airliners and Constellation Airliners, among other noted planes. Amazingly, he launched the first air service to Arizona, and soon after, the first U.S. trans-continental air service, and later in 1946, the first U.S. trans-Atlantic passenger air service. These monumental milestones all started in part, at Mayse Field in Tucson Arizona, 1927!

Standard Air Lines Inaugurates New Fokker- Tri Motor Service

Jack Frye, and his first wife, Debbie D. Greer, in August of 1929, at the inauguration of the first Fokker triple-motored passenger plane service for Standard Air Lines. Starting in 1927, Standard initiated service from Los Angeles-Phoenix-Tucson. At the event to the left, Standard launched new service to Douglas Arizona and El Paso Texas. Aero Corporation of California was the parent company of Standard Air Lines, Jack Frye served as founder and president of both companies. This air line established the very first regularly scheduled passenger air service for the State of Arizona!

Some sources have misdated the above photo as November 28, 1927. However, this date is not correct. The date of the image was August 4, 1929. On this day Standard Air Lines launched new FX Fokker service christening the new tri-motors transports as the "Californian, Texan, and Arizonan." In 1927 tri- motored planes were not being used by Aero Corporation or Standard Air Lines for passenger service.

The tanned lady pictured with Jack above? That is his first wife Debbie D. Greer Frye, a real trooper! Jack and Debbie were married on 9-4-1924, in Tia Juana (Tijuana) Mexico, as stated by Jack's executive secretary, Jean Phillips. However, I have found another source that notates they were married in Los Angeles by a judge. Debbie was from San Antonio Texas and Jack was from Wheeler County Texas so likely they shared a common background. Mr. and Mrs. Frye lived in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Other residents of the Frye home in the 1920's, were Debbie's mother, Jack's brother Don, and Jack's baby sister, Ople (Sunny.)

Everyone was trying hard to get established in this new land of opportunities. Debbie Frye was a member of the Los Angeles Follies and worked at a large mercantile at Manchester and Western Avenues. On 9-9-1932, Debbie and Jack were divorced in Juarez, Mexico. Debbie eventually remarried and moved to Hawaii. In time, after a second divorce, she returned to Texas where she lived out her life and passed away many years ago in relative obscurity. Additional sources state Debbie D. Greer was born in 1902 at Hearne- Robertson County Texas. Her memories were never documented.

Governor Phillips of Arizona is chief speaker @ tri-motor inauguration

Climaxed by a particularly fitting dedicatory address by Governor John C. Phillips of Arizona at Sky Harbor Airport, three Standard Airlines, "The Arizonan," "The Californian," and "The Texan," the latest multi-motored products of the Fokker Aircraft Corporation, were christened and placed into operation on Sunday, August 4, 1929. At each airport along "The Fair Weather Route" the ceremonies were witnessed by some of the Southwestern communities. Simultaneously, at 8 o'clock, Miss Virginia Thom, a prominent..... (Unfortunately I do not have the complete text of this historic article.)

Below left- Governor Phillips of Arizona at the "mike" at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

The above right- photo shows the celebrities at the Los Angeles christening. Left to right, are Miss Clara Ott of the Arizona Gazette, Mrs. Jack Frye, wife of the Standard Airlines president, Miss Emma Cuaron, who acted as Miss El Paso-Juarez, Miss Virginia Thom of Los Angeles, Miss Priscilla Dean, Miss Ruth Phillips, daughter of the Arizona Governor, Gladys Ingle, well-known aviatrix, and Betty Jean Hainey, popular screen juvenile.

Below left- the celebration at the International Airport at Douglas, Arizona.

Above right- photo of the crowd at Phoenix, Arizona.

Please Click On Images
For Larger Files

Above article- thanks to Ruth Richter, daughter of Standard Air Lines' Paul Richter.

Miss Thom is shown christening "The Californian." (Los Angeles, California)

Incredible new images appear below!

Inauguration- August 4, 1929- as seen below!

Both photos below were taken on the same day and at the same location.
Please click on each image for a larger jpeg file.

In this historic 1929 image we see- 7th from left, Standard Air Lines president and pilot of this flight, William John 'Jack' Frye with the devilish grin on his face, 5th from left is famous Black Cat member, aviatrix Gladys Engle, 5th from right, Jack Frye's wife, Debbie Greer Frye. The two women center are Priscilla Dean (right) and (left) in white dress Miss Emma Cuaron- (Miss El Paso Juarez.) Thanks to Burt Cosgrove. For information on Burt's connection with Tucson aviation history, please see this web page.

New Airplane Christened

Towns Between Los Angeles and El Paso Texas
Showered With Booklets As Ships Lower Schedule

Dateline- Los Angeles- August 5, 1929

Cities and towns between Los Angeles, Phoenix, Ariz., and El Paso, Tex., were showered yesterday with 20,000 booklets and carnations as three new fourteen-passenger Fokkers of the Standard Air Lines were out into new operation over the 800-mile route on a time-cutting schedule.

Dedication ceremonies were conducted at the air line�s terminal here (Los Angeles) and at landing points on the route to El Paso.

Miss Virginia Thom, member of a Los Angeles pioneer family, christened one of the planes, the Californian, here yesterday morning just before it left with a sister ship which was christened, the Arizonan on it�s arrival in Phoenix, by Miss Ruth Phillips, daughter of the Governor of Arizona. Mayor Porter participated in the dedication ceremonies here, while the Texan was being christened at El Paso, by Pricilla Dean.

Orange-shaped booklets, prepared by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, were thrown by the two planes on the return flight and these also were showered on intermediate cities.

The three luxuriously equipped planes, powered by three 425-horsepower Wasp motors, will cut the flying time between here and El Paso an hour and will connect at El Paso with Texas Pacific Railway, Southwest Air Fast Express, and the New York Central Railway, on a fifty-four-hour Los Angeles-to-New York plane and rail service.

These two photos are thought to have been captured at (Davis Monthan Field) at Tucson, Arizona. However- because there were so many publicity photos taken that day it is possible they were taken at Sky Harbor Airport at Phoenix. It is not likely they were taken at Los Angeles. This plane and its passengers made many landings and departures that day. The lady front and center is movie starlet, Priscilla Dean. Standing in front of the Standard Air Lines Fokker door greeting passengers is Standard Air Lines Founder and President, Jack (William John) Frye.

The lady in white with scarf around her head, (3rd woman) from right is the famous aviatrix and Black Cat member, Gladys Ingle. The shortest lady, (5th woman) from right and to the immediate right of Priscilla Dean is the wife of Standard Air Lines President, Mrs. Jack Frye. A gracious thank you to Burt Cosgrove, Albuquerque N.M., for this priceless glimpse into past! Burt's father, C. B. Cosgrove, Jr. was the manager of the Davis Monthan Airfield in Tucson Arizona- please see the Cosgrove page of the Davis Monthan Registry website.

Additional passengers who are thought to appear in the above images but unfortunately are yet to be identified are- Harry O. Steiger, Jack Dean, J. S. Dawley, W. L. Beebe, H. C. Eller, G. Nuckols, A. W. Poole, F. W. Oakes, Mrs. Paul (Daisy) Richter, and Ernest V. Moore.

Recently I drove out to the former site of the original civilian section of the Davis Monthan Airfield. This is where the current Davis Monthan Air Force Base is located today in Tucson Arizona (now encompassing a broader area.) By late 1927 this acreage was the general site of the new Tucson Airport which was relocated from Mayse Field at 6th and Irvington. The latter continued to be used as well. It is difficult to pinpoint actual runways today as there are no visible remains apparent and the area is military restricted.

However, the extreme southern end of the base where the above image was photographed is fairly close. The building shown above is not part of the original Tucson air field but it is the oldest building at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. It is called "Heritage Hangar" and was built in 1932 by the USAAF. The current Tucson International Airport was relocated from this location in about 1941. Please note: For the record- Standard Air Lines was officially represented by the company as both Standard Airlines and Standard Air Lines. The latter is the 'official' legal company title.

Douglas Arizona

Los Angeles Times, December 16, 1929
In the Air

Burrell Smith, crack pilot for Aero Corporation of California, was the first pilot and take off on the Douglas Municipal Airport, Douglas, Ariz., after its dedication recently. He also was the first pilot to fly from this field at night. The field is noted for its excellent night illumination- but it took a Californian to be first!

New offices for the Aero Corporation of California under process of construction on the field formerly known as the Master Aircraft, are of stucco. Despite the fact that all work on them is not complete, the firm has moved, due to the expansion of business and need of greater working facilities.

On his return from New York, Jack Frye will fly a new Fokker ten-place ship to the west coast for the Aero Corporation of California, of which he is president. The plane. Which is powered with a Hornet Pratt-Whitney motor, will be put into immediate service on the Aero Corporation between this city and Tucson.

El Paso Texas

EL Paso Terminal Opened
October 20, 1929

The Standard Airlines terminal, representing an investment of about $50,000, was formerly dedicated to the progress of aviation when more than 5000 persons from El Paso and vicinity visited the field northeast of El Paso, listened to oratory from city, county and Standard Air Lines officials, and thrilled at the races and aerobatic program.

Mayor R. E. Thomason, speaking in behalf of the people of El Paso, accepted the airport with a short address in which he declared that the formal opening of this great plant meant a long stride in transportation development of air transportation in El Paso.

Burrell Smith, sales manager for Aero Corporation of California and entry in the fifty-mile free-for-all race, swooped down across the finish line at a high rate of speed to win the most exciting event of the dedication program.

As winner of first prize, Smith was presented with a handsome silver trophy, by Mrs. Jack Frye (Debbie Greer.) Dudley Steele won the second place, and A. E. Cameron also of Los Angeles, won third.

Mayor Thomason and members of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce were loud in their phrase of the Standard Terminal, and officials of the Standard Air Lines, who had brought this aeronautical development to El Paso.

The official dedication program started at 2 p.m. and was opened with the band playing �America.� Mayor Thomason was the first speaker on the program. Following Mayor Thomason�s speech, the band played the �Star Spangled Banner,� while Mayor Thomason and Jack Frye raised the Standard Air Lines flag on the pole in front of the administration building.

Among the notables who attended the dedication were: Brig. Gen. C. J. Symmonds, commanding officer at Fort Bliss, and General Francisco Del Arco of the Juarez Garrison. Mayor Arturo Flores of Juarez, attended the dedication and exchanged a few words of international relationship. A special program of aerobatics was put on by pilots Burrell Smith and Lee Flanagin.

The new field is located 6 miles northeast of El Paso on the El Paso-Carlsbad Route and occupies an area of 640 acres. It is a four -runway field. The runways have been leveled and graded so as to be able to accommodate the largest of aircraft.

A large steel hangar and shop with concrete floors have been completed and are equipped so as to be able to offer the best of motor and plane repairing and overhauling facilities. The shops are now offering twenty four-hour service and a night crew has been added to the staff of attendants.

A Spanish stucco administration building and air terminal depot similar to the one used by the Standard Air Lines at Los Angeles has been erected and a lawn is now being planted around the building and in the court facing the field.

An oil and fuel building of fireproof construction, as are all the other buildings on the field, has also been built in line with the hangar shop and depot. A private well has been drilled on the field and a 10,000-gallon reservoir installed, giving the new airline terminal field a water system equal in pressure to that of the El Paso city water system. Both Standard Air Lines and the Continental Air Express are now using the field.

Standard Air Lines-
Preliminary Los Angeles to Mexico City Service

September 16, 1929 (as reported in LA)

Coalition between the Standard�s passenger line between Los Angeles and El Paso, and the Aeronautical Transport Corporation, which operates a passenger service in Mexico was announced by Jack Frye, president of Aero Corporation of California, yesterday.

Although there has been no financial merger the two companies have combined their passenger services into one organization to operate on a schedule between Mexico City and Los Angeles. The Standard Air Lines operates tri-motored Fokker planes on a daily schedule to Phoenix, Tucson and El Paso and return. The Aeronautical Transport Corporation operates Hornet-motored Lockheed planes between El Paso, Chihuahua, Torreon, Jiminez and Mexico City.

The first through passengers for Mexico City are scheduled to leave the airport of the Aero Corporation of California at 8:30 a.m. today. Several officials of the company, including President Frye, also will be aboard for the trip.

December 9, 1928 (as reported in Southern California newspapers)

Lieut. Jack Frye, president of the Aero Corporation of California, is attending the International Aeronautical Exposition at Chicago at present, as well as the annual meeting of the American Air Transport Operators� Association. Continuing to Washington, D.C., Lieut. Frye will attend the International Aeronautical Conference, then proceed to the Fokker factory in New Jersey, where he will take delivery on a new Fokker Super-Universal.

This plane is an exact replica of the Fokker being used by Commander Byrd on his South Pole expedition, and will be flown back to Los Angeles. It will be used on the Standard Air Lines, operating between here and Tucson, Arizona.

Flyers Go East to Return With New Air liners

July 19, 1929 as reported in West Coast newspapers

Scheduled to return with two new $80,000.00 fourteen-passenger Fokker cabin airplanes that will be put in service between Los Angeles and El Paso, Lieut. Jack Frye and Lieut. Paul E. Richter, Jr. president and vice-president, respectively, of the Standard Air Lines, left here yesterday for the Fokker factory in New Jersey.

The new Fokkers, it was declared will carry the most modern improvements in commercial flying craft, being equipped, in addition to de luxe accommodations for passengers, with a compartment for two pilots and powered by 425-horsepower Wasp engines.

Richter and Frye expect to fly the new ships back to Los Angeles by August 1, and they will be put in service immediately on the far western link of the transcontinental air-rail service.

1930- Aero Corporation, which is the successor to the oldest commercial flying school on the Pacific Coast, holds the Fokker Aircraft distributor agency for the Western United States, operates aerial photographic and survey section and a complete crop-dusting service, while Standard Air Lines, a subsidiary, it has conducted a passenger and express service between Los Angeles and El Paso.

Casa Grande Newspaper- February 9, 1950

20-Years-Ago
February 09 1930
Jack Frye, president of the Aero Corporation of California, Standard Air Lines, and the Standard Flying Schools, who is considered the youngest major aeronautical executive in the world, completed his 10,000 miles of flight without a single accident or injury. Frye was recently issued pilots' license number one by the state of Arizona, which is the only state in the union to issue pilots' licenses.

As seen in the - Casa Grande Newspaper
February 13, 1930
First Arizona Aviation License Issued To Frye

Jack Frye, president of Aero Corporation of California, Standard Flying Schools, who is considered the youngest major aeronautical executive in the world, completed his 10,000 flight without a single accident or injury.

Frye, who is 27 years of age, has been flying for the last 6 years during which he has flown over sixty-two different types of planes. He has flown in forty different states in the union, as well as, Canada and in Mexico. His flying experience includes six transcontinental flights.

Not only is Frye a government licensed transport pilot, but he holds an airplane mechanic�s license and an aircraft engine mechanic�s license, all issued by the Aeronautical Department of Commerce.

Frye was recently issued pilot�s license Number One by the state of Arizona, which is the only State in the Union to issue pilots� licenses.

Standard Air Line Colors

For some time I and other historians have been searching for the true color scheme of the original Standard Air Line planes. This quest has proven difficult as there are no references in newspapers, little in books, and all the old images are in black and white. Old timer memories can be rather unreliable as well. There is added confusion when one considers that Standard Airlines was sold in 1930 and the many of the well circulated color posters of Standard Air Lines Lockheed Vegas were after the Jack Frye association with the company.

The following images were offered to me by Judge Burt Cosgrove. They are thought to be extremely accurate in representing the Standard Air Lines colors and detail from the late 1920�s. The model was commissioned for a gentleman who grew up in Douglas Arizona and had a fond association for Standard Air Lines, the local air service. This model was a surprise present for his 80th birthday. The model was done by a professional model company and cost about two-thousand dollars.

There is supposedly a very similar larger model at the Albuquerque Airport. It is not clear if the price was for both versions. The plane represented is a 1928 Fokker Super Universal, Registration Number NC8011, C/N Number 812. It saw service with Standard Air Lines over their southwestern service route for about one year. It was said to be the first Super Universal purchased by Aero Corporation of California. The only difference on this model than on some of the other Fokkers used by Standard was that some had what looked like a black stripe on the upper wing. This in fact was not a painted stripe at all but a rubberized walking area for the pilots.

Please Click On Photos For Larger Files

In The Air At Local Airports
Standard Air Lines Adopts New Uniforms

February 17, 1929

A uniform of khaki and gold braid has been adopted for use by pilots of the Standard Airlines, Inc. The material is of light weight and very adaptable to the climate in the desert territory over which they fly. Pilots on the Standard Airlines include H. B. Russell, William Kingsley, Johnnie Martin, Delbert Everett and H. J. Kelsey.

Jack Frye and the Sedona Legend Website

The focus of this work is Jack Frye. As in TWA, Standard Air Lines and Aero Corporation never would have prospered if it were not for this man. As in all companies, investors and partners are brought on board- some for monetary reasons- others for their aircraft or management skills. But there is a sound reason that Jack Frye�s name was always at the head of all the organizations he was associated with for over 30-years. This includes: Burdett Flying School, Standard Flying School, Aero Corporation, Standard Air Lines, WFW Company, WAE, TWA, General Aniline and Film Corporation, and the Frye Corporation.

Frye was a natural born leader, a visionary, and an amazing corporate genius. Many men would have had little prominence in the airline industry if not for an association with Jack Frye. At the same time I know Jack himself would be the first to say- that without all the incredible talent he came to be associated with many of his dreams would never have been realized. This website ensures that Jack Frye, a legend is his own lifetime, is not forgotten in ours. Jack is not just some "name" in history books, he was a real live human being, approachable, loved, and respected by his peers. On these pages he is brought as close to "life" as is humanly possible.

The focus of this website is Frye; however, in the fray of this enthusiasm we must not forget two other important early key players of TWA- Walter A. Hamilton and Paul E. Richter Jr. Below is a priceless and invaluable excerpt of an article that appeared in TWA's Skyliner Magazine (the official spokes-magazine of TWA) May 1936

�Mr. Hamilton�s association with the air industry started in 1924, when he learned to fly in California. His instructor, interestingly enough, was TWA�s president, Jack Frye. Paul E. Richter, vice-president in charge of operations, (1936) was taught to fly by Mr. Frye about two months afterward. The friendship which grew up among the three resulted in a business association which evolved into one of the predecessor companies to TWA. For the three subsequently formed Aero Corporation of California, an organization which was an aeronautical ancestor of our TWA of the present time.�

�Interest has been expressed frequently in the fact that Mr. Frye was president of that early concern; that Richter was vice-president in charge of operations, and that Mr. Hamilton was in charge of maintenance. The interest attaches from the fact that the relative positions held then by the three still are held-- now in TWA-- by the same men. It has been a case of lasting friendships and prevailing partnerships among this trio of air transport men which has led to the frequent references to them as �The Three Musketeers of Air Transport.��

As for Hamilton-
�In any event, it was that early beginning in the air business which created the foundation upon which the Hamilton experience in maintenance was and is founded. One enthusiastic booster for the superintendent of TWA�s maintenance department has said: �It was from these first connections with aviation that he has worked his way up to where he is now, one of the most experienced aircraft and engine maintenance men in the country, and organizer of the most efficient maintenance system in the world.�

September 1928- Los Angeles Times One of Jack Frye's favorite fashion accessories was a fedora, and yes, he was a snappy dresser. As seen to the right, Jack Frye is wearing "The Aviator" hat, designed by the famous Logan Hatters in Los Angeles. Jack Frye; a true "aviator" in every sense of the word, was likely the inspiration for this hat design!

To the left, is found additional information regarding Tucson Air History as compiled by the Tucson Airport Authority and displayed at the Tucson International Airport. Please click on the image to read the larger file.

For additional information on Standard Air Lines, the little aero company that was the foundation of TWA- the world's greatest airline, please see this 2nd related page!

Return To Standard Air Lines Airport Entry Page.

The Sedona Legend Website is a compilation of copyrighted original work and historic materials presented for educational and entertainment purposes. The historic publicity materials displayed do not generate income or profit. These historic materials are not considered my copyrighted original materials. These materials are displayed in regard to the United States �Fair Use Act.� I am happy to consider the removal of any material on this website which may hold a copyright. Please notify me by E-Mail with any concerns.

a Jack Frye
Transcontinental and Western Air
Historical Webpage

Thank you for your interest in
Sedona Legend Helen Frye