(1952-1954)

(1952-1954)

Puddle Jumper, an American Airlines Convair 240 in 1954. (Craig Kodera)

 

T

he piston-engine airliner evolves and matures to new and impressive levels, bringing greater speed, longer range, and increased passenger capacity as well as true transcontinental travel. Aircraft performance
increases, and so does the level of operational safety and reliability. International air travel also comes of age as airline routes expand and more passengers take to the skies than ever before.