Captain Albert W. Stevens first refused, then was not enthusiastic about flying in a mail plane over the South American Andes Mountains. He reports, "The mail must go, and it gets through usually on the first attempt; but on those occasions when the pilot is forced back for more fuel after hours of battling for an opening between crags and clouds, you may be sure that you would never have enjoyed being with him," ("Flying the "Hump" of the Andes," National Geographic Magazine, May, 1931, p. 595).
The Andes is called "The Hump" and was considered "the hardest run in aviation" in 1931. "Four times a week the Americans fly the Andes" and "twice a week the French cross with mail" (p. 595). The route extended from an airfield in Mendoza, Argentina, west of Buenos Aires, to Santiago, Chile. The purpose of this trip by Captain Stevens was a "12,000 mile aerial photographic survey" for the National Geographic Magazine, (photo caption, p. 626).
The chief hazard to pilots is the Aconcagua Mountain, the highest of the Western Hemisphere at 23,098 feet height. It was (and undoubtedly still is) frequently hidden by clouds. Captain Stevens began his journey with difficulty: "I had resolved to return to the Andes, but the revolution in Argentina made air travel a bit difficult" (p. 599). (Comment: Yes, dodging bullets must be a bit difficult!).
Because of the Argentine revolution, some of Capt. Stevens' flights were made in Chilean Army planes: "It was terribly cold in the open rear cockpit. I froze my nose to the extent that it peeled for weeks, and time after time I feared from the numbness of my hands that I had frozen them, even though I wore heavy gloves" (p. 608).
One landmark for pilots was the statue of Christ of the Andes. There were good flights; "clear weather makes easy the flight over the top of the "Hump" (photo caption, p. 609).
An ever-present danger to passengers in 1931 on mail flights over the Andes was the confusion which may progress to unconsciousness due to the thin atmosphere. Pilots were supplied with oxygen tanks to prevent this. On some flights, Capt. Stevens had a small tank which he used only as necessary.
It is interesting that the Aconcagua Mountain can be seen from sea but not from Valpariso, Argentina, because "the foothills of the Andes hide it from view; it is necessary to attain an altitude of two miles above the Capital City before the highest peak of the Andes comes into view" (p. 610).
These early pilots must have flown by instinct! "Then happened something that made me ready to believe any story of air currents that I had ever heard. We were flying at 100 miles an hour, with wings almost level. In less than a tenth of a second. . .our wings were vertical. The movement was astonishing beyond words." They plunged down, the pilot dived then coolly regained control. Capt. Stevens was filled with admiration. "Yes, I know this was a very simple maneuver in clear air; but try it in a somber, mist-filled canyon, with jagged rocks rushing up at you, and with the knowledge that a single false move means instant destruction!" (p. 616-17).
In 1931, the dangers of flying over the Andes may be summed as: 1) dangerous air currents, 2) temperature of 35 degrees below zero at high altitudes, 3) ever-present clouds and fog, 4) thin oxygen as mentioned above, 5) no place to land in case of emergency, 6) no communication with airports or anybody by radio, 7) storms: lightning, snow, wind, and 8) ice or rain on the wings which weigh the plane down and it descends.
Stevens risked death many times over but achieved stunning results: photographs of the black stone Aconcagua Mountain and actually "the first photograph ever made showing laterally the curvature of the earth" (photo caption, p. 631). This was made 287 miles from the mountain at an elevation of 21,000 feet.
As I enjoy the comfort of my next flight in 2014 and look out the nearest window in the pressurized cabin at over 30,000 feet, I will be sure to think of these pioneer flights. Without the daring bravery of these hardy men, I would still be on the ground. Praise you, Lord, for allowing such progress to humanity!
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