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1938 February 3, 1938 Evening Star Washington
Knight, 2,400,000 Mile Air Pioneer, Takes "Easy" Job

  Jack Knight, first night airmail pilot and veteran of 2,400,000 miles of flying in 20 years, is in Washington today to observe his retirement from active flying and the inauguration of his new post as director of public education for United Air Lines. 
  Capt. Knight-he was retired as senior captain of United-was to speak at the weekly Kiwanis Club luncheon today at the Mayflower, make a radio broadcast this afternoon over Station WJSV and attend a press party at the Carlton Hotel at 6 o'clock.
  Yesterday he was congratulated by Postmaster General Farley on his 20 years of active flying, during which he flew more miles than any other man in the world, it is said, and during which he established a score of aviation "firsts" in addition to the first night airmail fight. He topped off the day with two radio broadcasts. 
Pace Speedier Than Flying
  "The pace I am hitting now is much tougher than flying," the veteran sighed.
  Capt. Knight began his flying career during the World War, making his first solo flight at Ellington Field, Tex. He served as instructor in aerial acrobatics until after the armistice and then became one of the first pilots to make application to fly the airmail. 
  In 1921 the airmail was being flown only during daylight hours, moving at night by train. It took a letter 78 hours to go from coast to coast and the Post Office Department was considering abandonment of the airmail service, because there was not enough time-saving gained.
  "A group of us pilots," Capt. Knight said, "volunteered to make a continuous day and night flight from San Francisco to New York. However, we had no lights on our ships or at airports, to say nothing of guides along the route, and we had to rely upon kindly farmers and Chambers of Commerce to light bonfires where we were supposed to land.
  "On this transcontinental flight, my hop was supposed to be from North Platte to [[Omaha?]], but it later developed that I took it through Chicago. 
                    Flight Officially Canceled
  The flight to North Platte was made by daylight, Capt. Knight taking over for the night...

  Capt. Knight insisted on taking the trip through, despite storm and darkness. From Chicago another pilot completed the daylight trip to New York and, Knight commented. "The future became really bright for airmail."
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