Ms. Hodges
English 2 Honors
9/17/14
Commercial aviation is one of the most important parts of the world economic system. Without out commercial aviation, communication between continents would be very difficult to achieve, the shipment of goods would be delayed significantly, and it would take a person a very long time to get from one side of the ocean to another. Commercial aviation, like most of man’s great innovations, had to get its start somewhere. Florida is considered the foundation for commercial aviation as we know it today. Florida, with the help of Tony Jannus’ history making flight, has impacted commercial aviation by staging as the foundation for commercial aviation to build on, allowing us to get to where we are today. …show more content…
Throughout his childhood, he had longed to be involved with the young and growing aviation industry. With very little to no experience in designing aircraft or understanding the science behind flight, he began to do incredible feats of courage and motivation. From testing the use of machine guns on airplanes to winning race with an airplane with three working pistons instead of four, Tony Jannus’ reputation grew and grew until he was known as a lovable man, determination, tenacity, and sheer risk-taking. He reached the height of his fame and glory when, in 1914 on New Year’s Day, he sat at the controls of the first commercial airliner to ever lift into the skies of Tampa, Florida. His passenger was the mayor of St. Petersburg and his flight lasted twenty-three minutes, however it was enough time to set a new set of gears in motion. The end result is a trillion dollar industry that has been essential to uniting all four corners of the