The fact is that almost everything in this book is based upon an actual occurrence, or was suggested to me by fliers as the result of their experiences. I mention this fact because, although this book is purely a piece of fiction, the purpose of the book is to show the part that fliers play in news coverage. Hence it had to be truthful in essence.
For material and other assistance, the writer is indebted to many persons connected with the business of flying. In particular I wish to express my indebtedness to Pilot Warren J. White, of Albany, who “flew” the New York _Times_ from Albany to Lake Placid. Mr. White has had years of experience as pilot and manager of flying enterprises. He supplied much material, suggested many situations and incidents for this book, and finally checked the manuscript for inaccuracies and “touched up” the flying technique to give that part of the story a truly professional air. To Mr. C. G. Andrus, chief of the Eastern Division of the Airways Weather Bureau, I have long been indebted for information concerning the work of the forecasters in aiding pilots. To these men and to many others who have assisted me in the work of collecting material for flying-stories, I wish to express my hearty thanks.
News fliers do the most remarkable things and have the most wonderful adventures. But like most other things connected with the business of collecting news, these adventures are seldom heard of excepting in newspaper or flying circles. If this story makes these achievements more evident to readers, the writer will be gratified.
I—Jimmy Donnelly Scents a Story in a Scorched Piece of Parachute II—A Flight in Quest of News III—Jimmy Meets an Old Friend—Johnnie Lee, of the Wireless Patrol IV—Jimmy Makes Good V—The Long Flight to a Fire VI—Flying Blind Over the Graveyard of Airplanes VII—A Forced Landing in a Fog VIII—Jimmy Saves a Boyhood Friend IX—Covering a Great Flood by Airplane X—Jimmy Visits a Lightship off the Coast XI—Jimmy is Tricked by His Rival XII—Jimmy Lands a Job for Johnnie XIII—Jimmy Has an Adventure with a Bootlegger XIV—Taking Help to Marooned Islanders XV—Jimmy Joins the Caterpillar Club XVI—The Bootlegger Repays Jimmy’s Kindness XVII—Jimmy Triumphs Over Rand