Birth of the ATA

With access to the list of civil pilots, d’Erlanger was able to choose staff to suit the needs of his new organisation.

Twenty three pilots were appointed to the ATA at its inception. They came from a cross section of society; journalists, patent engineers and motorcycle racers to inn keepers, antique dealers and furniture makers. One pilot previously had the unusual task of flying a cheetah and a chimpanzee from Africa.

Only a few had over 1000 hours experience in the air but the one thing they all had in common was a love of flying.