In the early days of commercial aviation, airlines that were able to thrive and survive were often very closely identified with their founders. Success did not come easily. Early airlines had to struggle to remain financially viable, fight off fierce competition, and find favor with both local and federal government agencies. The ten-year trajectory traveled by Eastern Air Lines’ Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker before becoming president and general manager of Eastern Air Lines, Inc. illustrates the tenacious drive that was necessary to achieve independence and profitability.

Rickenbacker was a World War I aviation hero, a highly decorated “Ace of Aces,” who was awarded the Croix de Guerre, Legion of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross and Congressional Medal of Honor for his wartime services.

Rickenbacker’s connection with Florida aviation began when, along with Reed Chambers and Virgil Chenea, he founded Florida Airways in 1926. Though it was short lived, Florida Airways operated Florida’s first Air Mail and passenger service between Miami and Jacksonville via Fort Meyers and Tampa. After Florida Airways ceased operations, in 1927, its remaining assets were acquired by Pitcairn Aviation. In December 1928, Pitcairn commenced regular Air Mail delivery from Miami Municipal Airport to Atlanta and on to New York.

Less than a year later, in June 1929, Pitcairn was acquired by North American Aviation, Inc., and in January of 1930, Pitcairn’s name was changed to Eastern Air Transport.

On June 1, 1933, Rickenbacker was appointed vice president of North American Aviation Inc. Following the U.S. Air Mail scandal in 1934 involving commercial carriers, Eastern Air Transport, then still owned by North American Aviation Inc., was renamed Eastern Air Lines. Rickenbacker was appointed as the airline’s General Manager on January 1, 1935. Three years later, in April 1938, North American Aviation Inc. sold its Eastern Air Lines division to a group of investors put together by Rickenbacker — Wall Street investment houses Kuhn Loeb and Company and Smith Barney and Company.

From that time onwards, Eastern Air Lines, Inc. was independently operated and listed on the U.S. Stock Exchange. Rickenbacker was appointed president and general manager of the new publicly traded company at the time of the spin-off from North American Aviation, Inc., in April 1938. He was a hands-on manager, actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the airline until 1953, when he was appointed Chairman of the Board, transitioning to a more strategic leadership position. He stepped down as Chairman in 1963.

At left: Miami Herald, May 22, 1938