Complete Original 1st Edition Set RANKIN SYSTEM OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION Lot of 38
Extremely rare, this listing is for an original & complete, first edition, 38 pamphlet set of Tex Rankin’s 1928 mail order “Rankin System of Flight Instruction”. Published the year following Charles Lindbergh’s famous solo transatlantic flight, this instruction-by-mail series of pamphlets was timed to capitalize on the interest in aviation stirred by Lindbergh’s pioneering flight. Due to the stock market crash the year following, the publication of this series did not see further publishing or revision, making this aviation instruction set rarer to come by.
This set was purchased by my late grandfather in 1928 when he was 20 years old, and though he did not himself go on to become a pilot, one of his sons, my late father, became a fighter jet pilot after being accepted into the the founding class of the then newly formed USAF Academy in 1955.
This series is holds a unique place in aviation history and is responsible for helping satisfy the thirst of thousands in their “flight path.”
This complete set is in good condition with edge wear, notations, and other signs of wear commensurate with use and age. Please refer to the photos for an accurate representation of what you will be receiving.
Free CONUS shipping, sellers choice of courier.
Please feel free to ask questions & Thanks for looking!
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The volume and chapter titles are as follows:
1) Aviation History, vol. 1
2) Theory of Flight, vol. 2, ch. 1
3) Theory of Flight, vol. 2, ch. 2 and 3
4) Theory of Flight, vol. 2, ch. 4
5) Business Administration, vol. 3
6) Air Commerce Regulations, vol. 4, ch.1-6 inc.
7) Air Commerce Regulations, vol. 4, ch. 7-8
8) Meteorology, vol. 5, ch. 1
9) Meteorology, vol. 5, ch. 2
10) Meteorology, vol. 5, ch. 3 & 4
11) Meteorology, vol. 5, ch. 5 & 6
12) Aviation Engines, vol. 6, ch. 1 & 2
13) Aviation Engines, vol. 6, ch. 3 & 4
14) Aviation Engines, vol. 6, ch. 5
15) Aviation Engines, vol. 6, ch. 6
16) Aviation Engines, vol. 6, ch. 7 & 8
17) Structure & Rigging, vol. 7, ch. 1
18) Structure & Rigging, vol. 7, ch, 2
19) Structure & Rigging, vol. 7, ch. 3 & 4
20) Structure & Rigging, vol. 7, ch. 5, 6 & 7
21) Navigation, vol. 8, ch. 1
22) Navigation, vol. 8, ch. 2 & 3
23) Cross-Country Flying, vol. 9
24) Flying Course, Vol. 10, Intro
25) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lesson 1
26) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 2 & 3
27) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lesson 4
28) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lesson 5
29) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 6 & 7
30) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lesson 8
31) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lesson 9
32) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 10-13
33) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 14-21
34) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 22-25
35) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 26-28
36) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 29-33
37) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lessons 34-40
38) Flying Course, Vol. 10, lesson 41
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From wikipedia, https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Tex_Rankin, and https://www.iac.org/hall-of-fame-1998-jg-tex-rankin:
On January 10, 1930, Rankin established a National Aeronautic Association flying record, for executing and completing 19 consecutive aerial outside loops. In February 1931, he established a new world record for outside loops, completing 78 consecutive loops in 88 minutes. Later that same year, Rankin would set the world record a third time, with a total of 131 loops. Rankin's record stands to this day. Rankin became the U.S. Aerobatic Champion in 1935, at the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1938, by then already well known as a stunt pilot and technical director in Hollywood, Rankin won the International Aerobatic Trophy at the International Aerobatic Competition in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of 48, Rankin was the oldest entrant in the competition. Rankin's own "Rankin System of Flying Instruction" student instructional books were well known standard reading texts for flying school students throughout the world. Rankin performed daily aerobatic flights to the delight of the crowds at the San Francisco World's Fair. While living in Hollywood, Tex became a member of the Hollywood Motion Pictures Pilot Association and the Screen Actors Guild. Among the celebrities taught to fly by Rankin himself were James Stewart, Errol Flynn, and Edgar Bergen.
After establishing the Rankin School of Flying in Van Nuys, CA in 1939, a year later, Rankin was awarded a Department of Defense contract with the Army Air Corps to operate a civilian primary flying school for soon-to-be cadets. The academy trained over 10,450 cadets throughout its operation. Rankin graduates included twelve World War II aces, the United States all-time leading ace and Medal of Honor recipient Richard Bong, and Jeppeson navigation charts founder Elrey Jeppeson.
General Jimmy Doolittle, known for the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan in WWII on April 18th, 1942, had this to say about Tex Rankin:
“When some people achieve excellence and acclaim in a field, they tend to hoard their secrets and their know-how. Tex was generous with his. Prior to World War II Tex had taught over 3,000 students how to take off, how to fly cross-country, how to do aerobatics – and how to do them all safely. During World War II he trained over 10,000 more flyers, including in their lessons combat and survival flying.” “…one of the most skillful aerobatic pilots who ever lived.”