Includes Never-Seen Letters Documenting Important Stages in Aviation History

On those days when the weather keeps us on the ground sometimes the best thing to do is to get lost in a good book. Just published by Bryn Athyn College Press is 'Harold F. Pitcairn: Aviator, Inventor, and Developer of the Autogiro', the story of aviation pioneer Harold F. Pitcairn, 1897-1960.

The developer of the Pitcairn Mailwing plane, as well as one of the first commercial airlines which later became known as Eastern, Pitcairn is best known for his role in developing the autogiro, precursor of the helicopter. For this achievement, he received the Collier Award in 1931 from President Herbert Hoover on the lawn of the White House.

This fascinating story of hard work, risk-taking, and incredible personal integrity is told through the detailed letters that Harold Pitcairn wrote to his colleagues, partners, and business acquaintances. They demonstrate qualities of the man and details of the period that create an insightful glimpse into a period of aviation history that has never been so carefully described.

The book includes letters from Orville Wright, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, Tony Fokker, Amelia Earhart and many others who helped establish the air transportation system.  It provides essential research for aviation historians as well as a compelling story for general readers who can learn much about Pitcairn's sense of ethics and service that he learned through his family's deep involvement with the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Christian theologian of the eighteenth century who emphasized the importance of good works.

The author, Carl Gunther, knew Harold Pitcairn and was requested by the family to compile these important documents. Gunther received an MA in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked as educator, archivist, and aviation researcher for over fifty years.

FMI: www.swedenborg-philosophy.org