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Airlift International

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Airlift International
Riddle Airlines
Riddle Aviation Company
IATA ICAO Call sign
RD[1] AIR[2] AIRLIFT[2]
RIDDLE[3]
Founded28 May 1945 (1945-05-28)
incorporated in Florida as Riddle Aviation Company
as Riddle Airlines
from 3 December 1952
as Airlift International
from 16 March 1964
Ceased operations
June 1992 (1992-06)
Operating bases
Miami, Florida
Fleet sizeSee Fleet
DestinationsSee Destinations
HeadquartersMiami, Florida
United States
Key peopleArthur Vining Davis
James B. Franklin
Paul J. Finazzo
FounderJohn Paul Riddle
DC-8-63CF at Mildenhall, UK, 1976
C-46 at Oakland 1955

Airlift International (originally Riddle Aviation Company, then Riddle Airlines) was one of the first US cargo airlines, with the same founder, John Paul Riddle, as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In 1951, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), a now-defunct Federal agency that, at the time, tightly regulated almost all US commercial air transport, certificated Riddle as an "all-cargo carrier," a scheduled freight airline, to fly from New York and Miami to Puerto Rico. This later expanded to include north-south routes on the east coast and midwest. Airlift's headquarters were at Miami International Airport, Florida.[4]

The airline was generally unprofitable, often substantially so, with brief periods of increased revenue and profitability followed by extended declines and debt restructuring; likewise, the airline notably expanded and contracted its fleet several times. Nonetheless, until the 1970s Airlift played a prominent role. Despite losses, it was the subject of repeated changes of control through the early 1960s, including by Arthur Vining Davis, a powerful business leader of the era. Airlift was the first US all-cargo airline to operate jets and a major military contractor during the Vietnam War. In 1966, Airlift bought Slick Airways, another all-cargo carrier and once the largest US freight airline. The CAB gave Slick's trancontinental freight routes to Airlift. In late 1973 Airlift was briefly the subject of a merger agreement with Flying Tiger Line.

The US deregulated air cargo at the end of 1977. Airlift was much the weakest of the three remaining all-cargo airlines and, shorn of protection, quickly succumbed. In May 1981, Airlift ceased operations for over a year, entering bankruptcy in June. It never exited, but lingered in Chapter 11 for over a decade, operating at a low level with a handful of aircraft, including flying turboprops for casinos and prisons, as well as Douglas DC-8 charters. A 1988 Miami Herald article referred to Airlift as "a near-ghost of airlines past."[5] The company last operated June 1992. In August, Hurricane Andrew destroyed two former Airlift aircraft at Miami International Airport. Airlift was the last of the CAB all-cargo carriers to operate.

History

[edit]

Founder

[edit]

John Paul Riddle (1901–1989) was an aviation pioneer, a barnstormer who founded several pilot instruction schools, one of which became Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also helped create a Brazilian pilot school during World War II which grew into the Escola de Especialistas de Aeronáutica [pt] of the Brazilian Air Force, a school for aviation specialists, the largest such military institute in South America.

Startup

[edit]

J.P. Riddle incorporated Riddle Aviation Company in Florida on 28 May 1945.[6] The carrier's original primary activity was flying to Brazil in support of Riddle's Brazilian aviation school.[7] By 1946 the airline was flying freight from New York to San Juan via Miami. By 1948 the airline achieved stability transporting needlework. Riddle flew raw materials five days a week in Douglas C-47s from Teterboro Airport to Puerto Rico (where skilled needleworkers were paid 1/5 the New York rate) and brought back finished goods (such as fine gloves). Needlework was over 80% of Riddle's business at this time.[8] The carrier was initially an irregular air carrier, but in 1951 the CAB certificated it as a scheduled freight airline between New York and Miami on the one hand and Puerto Rico on the other.[9] See External links for a picture of a Riddle Aviation Co Curtiss C-46. The CAB approved a name change to Riddle Airlines on 3 December 1952.[10]

A decade of ownership and management changes

[edit]

Arthur Vining Davis was a powerful business leader of his time, having built Alcoa and industrialized aluminum in the US. In retirement, he invested heavily in South Florida land and companies.[11] In 1953, investors forced out J. P. Riddle, only for him to regain control in 1954. Shortly thereafter, Davis started buying what became a dominant stake in the airline.[12] In 1955, Riddle won a contract to fly seven C-46s for Logair, an Air Force domestic freight network.[13] Also in 1955, the CAB awarded Riddle some of the north–south domestic cargo routes previously flown by defunct U. S. Airlines, with AAXICO getting the rest.[14] Unfortunately, the new routes, which Riddle launched January 1956, were deeply unprofitable[15][16] and as Table 1 shows, financial results for 1956–1960 were extremely poor. AAXICO was no more successful, suspending its scheduled routes in 1959.[17] By 1956, Davis owned 38% of Riddle. Davis also had 27% of Mackey Airlines, a small Florida-based international passenger airline, which he put into a trust to satisfy CAB concerns.[18] Davis kept investing in Riddle, including backing new issuances; Riddle went public in July 1956.[19] By 1959, 92-year old Davis owned over 60% of Riddle.[20]

Table 1: Riddle Airlines(1) financial results, 1951–1960
USD 0001951(2)[21]1952[21]1953[21]1954[21]1955[21]1956[21]1957[22]1958[23]1959[23]1960[24]
Op revenue:
Scheduled 9201,5941,8142,3432,3764,6676,4485,1885,2434,472
Non-sched 431861291982354,6004,5512,2681,982
Other 1696(115)72999923370(144)14546
Total 9371,7331,8852,5443,5735,82511,4209,5967,6586,504
Operating result (22)12(331)186646(1,226)(1,883)(2,374)(1,533)(1,826)
Net result (28)(2)(396)102530(1,084)(1,731)(3,510)(1,147)(2,094)
Op margin (%) -2.30.7-17.57.318.1-21.0-16.5-24.7-20.0-28.1
(1) Until December 1952, Riddle Aviation Company (2) Nine months ending December
Argosy 1960. Katy the Kangaroo is visible on the tail, but External links has a photo with a better view of the mascot
Network June 1960, including Logair
DC-7CF at New York 1962

Davis replaced J.P. Riddle with a new president in 1958,[15] but in 1959 Riddle lost its Logair contract, leading to a 50% reduction in operations.[25] During 1959, Riddle's fleet collapsed from 40[26] to 14 aircraft.[27] Davis installed another president, Robert M. Hewitt,[16] previously Davis's partner in aircraft leasing.[28] In 1960, Davis sold most of his stake to a Hewitt-led group;[29] Hewitt estimated Davis lost $5 million (over $55 million in 2026 terms) on his Riddle investment.[30] Hewitt expanded into military charters and transatlantic commercial charters with Douglas DC-7s,[31] and won a Logair contract for bulky freight by acquiring the Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy.[32] Results initially improved,[33] and Riddle became the largest airline military contractor for the year ending June 1962.[34] But Riddle could not operate the Argosy profitably or to the military's satisfaction and returned them in 1962.[35] The next year, the military initially eliminated Riddle as a contractor entirely.[34] Despite being the largest shareholder, Hewitt was forced out in October 1962 in favor of James B. Franklin, a former Capital Airlines executive.[36] A new name, "Airlift International," became effective on CAB approval 16 March 1964.[37]

C-46R

[edit]

After World War II, the C-46 was unable to meet standards for passenger aircraft operated by certificated scheduled carriers; it did meet the looser standards for cargo flights and passenger flights on irregular air carriers.[38] In the early 1950s, government standards tightened,[39] forcing modifications so C-46s could meet the higher standards. By 1957, Riddle developed the C-46R, one of three such programs that met the new standards and increased the aircraft's speed, load and safety. Riddle converted at least several dozen aircraft. External links has a photo of the program demonstrator.[40][41]

Katy the Kangaroo

[edit]

Starting in 1958, Riddle's aircraft tails featured a cartoon kangaroo, with a pouch full of boxes and trailing a cylinder labeled "TNT," with a lit fuse (See External links for a photo). TNT stood for the tagline "Tonight Not Tomorrow" referencing the speed of airfreight. The kangaroo's name was Katy and a live kangaroo made publicity appearances. Riddle created My Fair Katy, a musical number based on My Fair Lady.[42] In 1961, Katy made news by escaping her Miami Airport quarters.[43] In 1963 she was handed to a creditor.[44]

1960s bubble: Vietnam, Slick and a diverse fleet

[edit]

In early 1963, Riddle restructured its debt, as part of which Douglas Aircraft agreed to finance two Douglas DC-8 convertible freighters,[45] the first of which delivered that year, making Airlift the first all-cargo carrier to operate a pure jet[46] and qualifying it for military contracts.[47] 1965 was only the second profitable financial year (ending June) in Airlift's two decade history. The scheduled east-coast system still lost money, but increased demand due to an east-coast dock strike, robust military charter business and a five-day-a-week DC-8 charter for Alitalia lifted the company into profit.[48] Military charters surged. Eight months into the government's fiscal 1966 (also year ending June) Airlift's military charter volume to Europe was double the original $6 million commitment, and the military added a further $3 million contract to fly to Vietnam.[49]

Table 2: Airlift International(1) financial results, 1961–1972
USD 0001961[50]1962[51]1963[52]1964[53]1965[54]1966[55]1967[56]1968[56]1969(2)[57]1970(2)[57]1971(2)[57]1972(2)[58]
Op revenue:
Scheduled 4,2102,0914,4945,7118,29410,33110,09412,14214,65914,12711,013
Non-sched 19,43021,7178,6039,78312,85442,79956,14742,79443,17038,46035,054
Other 66901,3417132,0563803811,0099141,116108
Total 23,70623,89814,43916,20823,20353,51066,62355,94658,74253,70346,17647,500
Operating result 853(235)(694)9953,1108,5026,611(3,264)(1,879)(8,615)(1,731)2,500
Net result (133)(865)(1,627)(416)1,7455,4753,676(4,395)(5,720)(13,875)(14,123)500
Op margin (%) 3.6-1.0-4.86.113.415.99.9-5.8-3.2-16.0-3.75.3
(1) Until March 1964, Riddle Airlines (2) Year ending June
Riddle's first DC-8 1963
DC-7C at San Francisco 1967
707-320C at Stockholm 1968
CL-44 LAX August 1969

After World War II, Slick Airways became the largest air freight carrier,[59] certificated in 1949 to fly a scheduled transcontinental route.[60] Like Airlift, Slick found scheduled domestic air freight unprofitable. It suspended scheduled flights in 1958,[61] resumed in 1962[62] only to stop again in 1965,[63] leaving it with six aircraft flying military charters to Vietnam.[64] This was a problem because the military awarded long-term contracts only to airlines with a meaningful civil business.[65] Airlift acquired Slick on July 1, 1966.[66] In the following 12 months (year ending June 1967) Airlift flew over $52 million (over $500 million dollars in 2026 terms) in military charters, compared to $19 million the prior year.[67] In 1968, the CAB awarded Airlift Slick's former east-west scheduled freight routes, giving Airlift access to the west coast.[68]

Slick's Canadair CL-44 turboprops and Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellations joined Airlift's DC-8s, DC-7s and C-46s. In 1967, Airlift added Boeing 707s, 727s, Lockheed L-100 Hercules and put a deposit on a Boeing 2707 SST;[69] its May 1968 fleet comprised 36 aircraft across eight types (see Fleet). Good times ended abruptly. The need for cargo flights to Vietnam diminished in 1967, and the military first cut back propeller aircraft,[70] including CL-44 turboprops (two of which Airlift was able to shift to flying on behalf of Lebanese carrier Trans Mediterranean).[71] In fiscal year 1968 the military largely ceased chartering propeller aircraft, including the CL-44, which jets rendered uneconomic.[72] Military revenue dropped and Airlift took large writedowns for obsolete aircraft.[73] From financial year 1968 through 1971 Airlift posted $36 million in losses.[57] The fleet shrank to only seven aircraft by December 1971 from 42 at December 1966 (see Fleet). Net losses in financial years 1970 and 1971 were disastrous, as shown in Table 2. The 1971 figures included $3 million in forfeited deposits (over $24 million in 2026 terms) when Airlift failed to finance delivery of three DC-8-63CFs,[74] despite selling its three L-100s (and an associated Logair contract) to Saturn Airways in October 1970 to raise money.[75][76] An ex-Airlift L-100 crashed, killing its three still-Airlift crew, the day after it was sold.[77] (See Airlift Hercules). World Airways got the foregone DC-8s,[74] (see External links for a photo of one of these failed DC-8 deliveries with World Airways registration and Airlift livery). Airlift recapitalized in October 1972[78] and at the end of the year Franklin stepped down in favor of Paul J. Finazzo.[79] In October 1973, Flying Tiger tentatively agreed to buy Airlift,[80] but by January 1974, the deal was off, Tiger and Airlift citing the energy crisis as a reason to end it.[81]

Deregulation and Latin America

[edit]

Airlift, along with Flying Tiger, World Airways and Trans International, attracted attention by flying DC-8s to Cambodia into the besieged city of Phnom Penh in early 1975.[82] The mid 1970s saw passenger carriers retreat from the domestic cargo business. Western, Continental, Eastern and Delta eliminated all-cargo aircraft service in 1970, 1973, 1973 and 1975 respectively.[83] Passenger carriers increasingly relied on belly space of passenger aircraft to carry freight, nonoptimal because such aircraft fly during the day, not at night. Unfortunately Airlift took a 109 day pilot strike ending early March 1976,[84] and the lack of freighter service by the passenger carriers induced air freight forwarders like Emery[85] and Airborne[86] to charter nascent freight hub-and-spoke systems of their own, limiting Airlift's ability to leverage reduced competition from the passenger carriers. At the end of 1977, the Air Cargo Deregulation Act deregulated the US domestic air cargo market.[87] Airlift was in a self-admittedly weak position entering deregulation compared to the other two remaining all-cargo carriers.[88] And Flying Tiger expanded into Airlift domestic markets in early 1978, putting further pressure on Airlift.[89] But Airlift finally got what it long desired, authority to fly to Latin America.

Table 3: Airlift International financial results, 1973–1981
USD 0001973[90]1974[90]1975[91]1976[91]1977[92]1978[93]1979[94]1980[95]1981[96]
Op revenue:
Scheduled 16,78224,45021,78124,42834,93639,10320,91834,4554,926
Non-sched 20,72422,44117,63012,45426,06942,24332,73532,9727,600
Other 3941,2821,1408181,6172,9532,6302,751245
Total 37,89948,17440,55237,70062,62384,29956,28370,17812,772
Operating result (3,234)986(3,042)(3,200)5,4953,3776,336(11,214)(2,033)
Net result (2,238)1,151(3,011)(3,427)6,2314,5236,547(12,314)(2,455)
Op margin (%) -8.52.0-7.5-8.58.84.011.3-16.0-15.9
DC-8-63CF at Naples Nov 1980 with relief supplies for 1980 Irpinia earthquake
DC-8-54F East Midlands December 1980
Fairchild F-27 at Miami March 1989
FH-227C in Fort Lauderdale 1989

Riddle first tried to enter Latin America in 1961 by buying Aerovias Sud Americana (dba ASA International), a small Florida-based freight airline certificated to fly to Latin America. Riddle argued ASA (which was in financial trouble) would improve with better aircraft connected to Riddle's domestic system.[97] The CAB turned down Riddle in 1963.[98] Airlift tried again in 1965.[99] In 1968, with ASA moribund since 1965, the CAB refused Airlift (which wanted to use L-100s on ASA routes) a final time (after appeals), saying the ASA network would lose money for Airlift, and distract it from making the former Slick routes a success.[100] Airlift sought Latin American routes again in 1973, but the CAB did not respond.[101] In 1978, the CAB, acting against the advice of its own administrative law judge, finally gave Airlift authority to fly to 12 countries or territories between Argentina and the Dominican Republic.[102] Airlift saw it as the break it was waiting for,[103] but some of the most desirable destinations at the time, such as Venezuela, refused to allow it to enter.[104] But Airlift was unable to handle domestic competition: 1980 was one of the worst financial years in its history. It ended service at 18 domestic cities, reducing the network to New York, Miami, San Juan and five Latin American points.[105]

A near-ghost

[edit]

In May 1981 Airlift stopped operating, unable to pay employees or aircraft insurance.[106] It declared bankruptcy in June.[107] Creditors forced appointment of a trustee in November, sidelining Finazzo.[108] In 1982 he was named head of Hawaiian Air Lines.[109] In June 1982, Airlift resumed service in a small way, initially flying military charters with a DC-8.[110] Airlift limped along in Chapter 11, under trustee control, for over 10 years. In the late 1980s it acquired Fairchild F-27/Fairchild-Hiller FH-227 turboprop aircraft, for casino flights to the Bahamas and Atlantic City, and operated a DC-8 under contract to CF Airfreight. The airline filed a plan of reorganization in June 1988,[5] approved by the bankruptcy court in January 1989,[111] but it fell through. A planned 1991 liquidation was averted when an investor group made an offer;[112] that also fell through. In March 1992, over 10 years into what was then South Florida's longest-running bankruptcy, Miami aviation entrepreneur George Batchelor made an offer, further forestalling liquidation; Airlift then had eight employees and a contract to fly prisoners for New York State.[113] But Batchelor pulled out.[114] Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show F-27/FH-227 operations as late as June 1992,[115] but none in July.[116] Remaining assets were auctioned in early August.[117] Later that month, two former Airlift Fairchild F-27 aircraft were destroyed by Hurricane Andrew (see Accidents).

Depleted as it was, in 1992 Airlift was the last CAB all-cargo carrier standing. Seaboard World merged into Flying Tiger in 1980,[118] Flying Tiger merged into Federal Express in 1989.[119] Airlift, Seaboard and Flying Tiger were the only remaining CAB cargo carriers in 1978.[120]

Destinations

[edit]

1951:[9]

  • Miami
  • San Juan
  • New York

September 1966:[4]

  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Cleveland
  • Detroit
  • Indianapolis
  • Miami
  • New Orleans
  • New York
  • Orlando
  • Philadelphia
  • St. Thomas
  • San Juan

Fleet

[edit]

September 1946:[7]

January 1952:[121]

May 1953:[122]

April 1958:[123]

November 1961:[124]

December 1965:[125]

December 1966:[126]

(*) Still listed by the FAA as under Slick, despite June 1966 merger of Slick into Airlift

As of May 1968, Airlift operated:[127]

December 1971:[128]

  • 4 DC-8
  • 3 727

World Airline Fleets 1979 (copyright 1979) shows Airlift with:[1]

1987–88 World Airline Fleets (copyright 1987) shows Airlift with:[129]

The 1989 edition of JP airline fleets shows Airlift with:[130]

Airlift Hercules

[edit]

Of four L-100 Hercules delivered to Airlift in 1967 (Construction Numbers 4221, 4222, 4225, 4229, registrations N9248R, N9245R, N759AL, N760AL respectively),[131] three had fatal crashes within five years:

  • N760AL C/N 4229 crashed in Alaska December 1968 while in Airlift service operating on behalf of Interior Airways (see Accidents below)
  • N9248R C/N 4221 crashed in New Jersey October 1970, the day after Airlift sold its L-100 fleet to Saturn, still operated by Airlift crew.[76][77]
  • N759AL C/N 4225, reregistered to N14ST, crashed in Illinois May 1972 in Saturn service from metal fatigue.[132]

Accidents

[edit]
  • 17 December 1955: A Riddle C-46F disintegrated in flight over South Carolina with the loss of both pilots, the only people on board. The cause was traced to nonconforming elevator parts installed as part of conversion performed overseas by a contractor which created its own parts, which had left the aircraft ineligible for an airworthiness certificate.[133]
  • 20 December 1957: A Riddle C-46R on departure from Miami suffered a hydraulic line rupture with subsequent fire in the right engine. The aircraft safely returned to Miami but was extensively damaged due to failure of the emergency fuel shutoff system, insufficient fire barriers and an inoperable fire bottle.[134] The aircraft had been rebuilt from the wreckage of an earlier accident (with another operator) that killed 26 people in 1951.[135]
  • 30 March 1959: A Riddle C-46R suffered an intense inflight fire, over Georgia, with the subsequent crash fatal to both pilots on board, the only occupants. The probable cause was ignition of cargo in the aft belly compartment from an unguarded lightbulb.[136]
  • 12 September 1966: Airlift International Flight 184/12, DC-7C N2282 from Tachikawa Air Base to Wake Island failed to rotate on takeoff due to improper loading of freight, overran the runway and was destroyed, crew survived.[137]
  • 30 December 1966: DC-7C N4059K gear collapsed on takeoff from Saigon to the Philippines, leading to the destruction of the aircraft. Crew survived.[138]
  • 22 June 1967: Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6936C was on approach to Saigon when it collided with a USAF F-4. F-4 pilots safely ejected, but the Constellation was destroyed along with four crew and three passengers.[139]
  • 24 December 1968: Lockheed L-100-10 Hercules N760AL on approach to Brit-Puk No. 1, a landing strip for an oil drilling site near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, failed to go around despite poor visibility and crashed. The aircraft was on wet-lease to Interior Airways of Alaska, but operated by Airlift. Two of three Airlift flight crew killed. The loadmaster, an Interior employee, survived. Aviation Safety Network and NTSB incorrectly identify this as an aircraft operated by Interior, but contemporaneous reporting is very clear.[140][141]
  • 23 March 1974: DC-8-63CF N6164A undergoing maintenance at Travis Air Force Base exploded when fumes in a fuel tank ignited, killing a maintenance worker. The aircraft was destroyed.[142]
  • 24 August 1992: After Airlift ceased operations, Fairchild F-27 N273RD and Fairchild F-27M N276RD were written-off after damage by Hurricane Andrew[143][144]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Endres, Günter G. (1979). World Airline Fleets 1979. Hounslow (UK): Airline Publications and Sales. p. 195. ISBN 0905117530.
  2. 1 2 Change 4 to Order 7310.1N, Contractions (Report). Federal Aviation Administration. 20 July 1995. p. 3-1-10. hdl:2027/ufl.31262091395771.
  3. ↑ Contractions, Sixth Edition (Report). Civil Aeronautics Administration. 1 March 1954. p. 30. hdl:2027/pst.000072082324.
  4. 1 2 "System Timetable". timetableimages.com. Airlift International. September 1966. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Airline has plan for solvency". Miami Herald. 78 (215): 6D. 2 July 1988. ISSN 0898-865X.
  6. ↑ "Search by document number 144146". dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search/. State of Florida, Division of Corporations. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Riddle Asks Mail and Cargo Run". Aviation News. 6 (12): 14. 16 September 1946. ISSN 0005-2175.
  8. ↑ "Riddle's Cargo Line Pays Off". American Aviation. 12 (3): 16–17. 1 July 1948.
  9. 1 2 "Additional Service to Puerto Rico Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 12. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 430–492. September 1950 – April 1951. hdl:2027/osu.32435067593848.
  10. ↑ "Riddle Airlines, Inc. (Formerly Riddle Aviation Company), Certificate Reissued". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 16. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 1003–1004. July 1952 – February 1953. hdl:2027/uc1.b2938507.
  11. ↑ "Industry Tycoon Is Dead". Miami Herald. 52 (352): 1. 18 November 1962. ISSN 0898-865X.
  12. ↑ Reed v. Riddle Airlines, 266 F.2d 314 (5th Cir. 1959).
  13. ↑ "Riddle Military Contract". Air Transportation. 27 (2): 6. ISSN 0745-5100.
  14. ↑ "North-South Airfreight Renewal Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 22. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 253–321. November–December 1955. hdl:2027/osu.32435022360515.
  15. 1 2 "George Giles Named Riddle Airlines Head". Aviation Week. 68 (8): 43. 24 February 1958. ISSN 0005-2175.
  16. 1 2 "Riddle Faces A Tough Decision". Air Cargo. 3 (11): 8. November 1959.
  17. ↑ "AAXICO, Suspension of Service". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 29. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 1329–1330. March–September 1959. hdl:2027/osu.32435022360440.
  18. ↑ "Arthur Vining Davis Control Relationships Proceeding". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 23. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 130–136. January–August 1956. hdl:2027/uc1.b2938514.
  19. ↑ "Riddle Airlines, Inc". Commercial and Financial Chronicle. 184 (5549): 156. 9 July 1956. ISSN 0010-2903.
  20. ↑ "Arvida Corporation Starts The Show". Florida Trend. 2 (3): 11. June 1959. ISSN 0015-4326.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Handbook of Airline Statistics, United States Certificated Air Carriers, Calendar Years 1949–1956 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. June 1960. p. 182. hdl:2027/mdp.39015024399167.
  22. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1958. pp. 34–35. hdl:2027/mdp.39015026081490.
  23. 1 2 Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1959. pp. 29, 36. hdl:2027/mdp.39015026081490.
  24. ↑ Quarterly Report of Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1961. pp. 30, 37. hdl:2027/mdp.39015026081482.
  25. ↑ "Riddle Lays Off 106 Pilots". Miami Herald. 49 (179): 1-B. 30 May 1959. ISSN 0898-865X.
  26. ↑ Statistical Study of U.S. Civil Aircraft (Report). Federal Aviation Agency. July 1959. p. 5. hdl:2027/ien.35556029279064.
  27. ↑ Statistical Study of U.S. Civil Aircraft (Report). Federal Aviation Agency. April 1960. p. 5. hdl:2027/ien.35556029279056.
  28. ↑ "Arthur Vining Davis, Approval of Control Relationship". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 23. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 768. January–August 1956. hdl:2027/uc1.b2938514.
  29. ↑ "Control of Riddle Airlines Sold To Group Led by Its President". New York Times. CIX (37411): 31. 1 July 1960. ISSN 0362-4331.
  30. ↑ "Finance Briefs". Business Week (1610): 69. 9 July 1960. ISSN 0007-7135.
  31. ↑ "Flying Tiger, Riddle Plan Drive For Commercial Atlantic Charters". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 73 (21): 39. 21 November 1960. ISSN 0005-2175.
  32. ↑ "Cargo Award Spurs Turboprop Activity". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 73 (1): 40. 4 July 1960. ISSN 0005-2175.
  33. ↑ "Consultant Puts Airline in the Profit Column". New York Times. CX (37710): 207. 23 April 1961. ISSN 0362-4331.
  34. 1 2 "AF Airlift Contracts Valued at $96 Million". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 76 (24): 38. 11 June 1962. ISSN 0005-2175.
  35. ↑ "Washington Roundup: Riddle Sells Argosies". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 76 (21): 25. 21 May 1962. ISSN 0005-2175.
  36. ↑ "Riddle Boss Resigns, But Will Aid Board". Miami News. 67 (128): 7B. 1 October 1962. OCLC 10000467.
  37. ↑ "Airlift International, Inc., Name Change". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 40. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 815–816. March–July 1964. hdl:2027/osu.32437011658461.
  38. ↑ Revision of Civil Aeronautics Act: Hearings Before the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, United States Senate, Eighty-third Congress, Second session, on S. 2647; April 6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27; May 18, 27, 28; June 1, 2, 10, 11, 15, 21; July 1, 13, and 22, 1954 (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1954. pp. 736–738. hdl:2027/uc1.b5167452.
  39. ↑ Hearings C-46 1954, pp. 738–739.
  40. ↑ "C-46 Changes Begin to Meet CAB Ruling". Aviation Week. 67 (7): 71. 19 August 1957. ISSN 0005-2175.
  41. ↑ "Commando Rejuvenated". Flight. 74 (2601): 836. 28 November 1958. ISSN 0015-3710.
  42. ↑ "Tonight Not Tomorrow". Air Transportation. 33 (4): 18. October 1958. ISSN 0745-5100.
  43. ↑ "There in the Park Was a Kangaroo... So the Man Said". Miami Herald. 52 (11): 11-C. 12 December 1961. ISSN 0898-865X.
  44. ↑ "The Tipoff". Miami Herald. 53 (155): 2-A. 5 May 1963. ISSN 0898-865X.
  45. ↑ "Riddle's Path Smoothed A Bit". Miami News. 67 (277): 11C. 3 March 1963. OCLC 10000467.
  46. ↑ "Riddle Going To Jets for Air Cargo". Miami Herald. 53 (271): 8D. 29 August 1963. ISSN 0898-865X.
  47. ↑ "Riddle Shows New Energy In Program Of Rebuilding". Miami News. 68 (55): 6C. 14 July 1963. OCLC 10000467.
  48. ↑ "Airlift Reports A Profit". Miami Herald. 55 (295): 3B. 21 September 1965. ISSN 0898-865X.
  49. ↑ "Airlift Gets War Contract". Miami News. 70 (267): 8A. 28 March 1966. OCLC 10000467.
  50. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1962. pp. 20, 29. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511042.
  51. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1963. p. 20, 29. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511042.
  52. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1964. pp. 19, 28. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511026.
  53. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Vol. XIII-4. Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1965. pp. 19, 28. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511018.
  54. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Vol. XIV-4. Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1966. p. 19, 27. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511018.
  55. ↑ Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Vol. XV-4. Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1967. p. 19, 27. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511000.
  56. 1 2 Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Vol. XVI-4. Washington, DC: Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1968. p. 19, 27. hdl:2027/osu.32435022511000.
  57. 1 2 3 4 "Airlift International, Inc., Renewal and Amendment of Certificates". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 62. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 405. May–July 1973. hdl:2027/coo.31924064580479.
  58. ↑ "Airlift's Outlook Improved By Recapitalization, Profits". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 97 (17): 26. 23 October 1972. ISSN 0005-2175.
  59. ↑ "CAB Sets Up Airfreight Route Pattern". Aviation Week. 50 (19): 12. 9 May 1949. ISSN 0005-2175.
  60. ↑ "Air Freight Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 10. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 572–646. January–November 1949. hdl:2027/osu.32437011657588.
  61. ↑ "Civil Aeronautics Board News". Traffic World. 101 (9): 74. 1 March 1958. ISSN 0041-073X.
  62. ↑ "Slick Plans Door-to-Door Air Cargo System; Resumes Common Carriage". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 77 (14): 32. 1 October 1962. ISSN 0005-2175.
  63. ↑ "Slick Corporation, Suspension of Service". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 43. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 742–744. July 1965 – January 1966. hdl:2027/uc1.b3534400.
  64. ↑ "Viet War Boosts Contract Airlift Demands". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 83 (13): 37. 27 September 1965. ISSN 0005-2175.
  65. ↑ "Saturn-AAXICO Merger Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 43. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 154–155. July 1965 – January 1966. hdl:2027/osu.32437011658313.
  66. ↑ "Airlift-Slick Transfer of Assets". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 44. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 840–843. February–June 1966. hdl:2027/osu.32437011658263.
  67. ↑ Military Airlift: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Military Airlift, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Ninety-First Congress, Second Session (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1970. pp. 6331–6333. hdl:2027/uiug.30112119648027.
  68. ↑ "Airlift-Slick Route Transfer". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 48. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 579–607. January–July 1968. hdl:2027/osu.32435022360259.
  69. ↑ "Airlift Ordering SST, Other Craft". Miami News. 71 (222): 9A. 19 January 1967. OCLC 10000467.
  70. ↑ "Sagging MAC Cargo Hits Charters". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 86 (25): 27. 19 June 1967. ISSN 0005-2175.
  71. ↑ "MAC-freed Aircraft Used in New Roles". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 87 (24): 43. 11 December 1967. ISSN 0005-2175.
  72. ↑ "Demand for Cargo Charter Seen Continuing Downward Trend". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 87 (18): 29. 30 October 1967. ISSN 0005-2175.
  73. ↑ "Revenue Dip Reported By Airlift International". Miami News. 73 (121): 6A. 4 October 1968. OCLC 10000467.
  74. 1 2 "Airlift International Pushes to Cut Losses". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 95 (3): 36. 19 July 1971. ISSN 0005-2175.
  75. ↑ Department of Defense Appropriations for 1972: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives Ninety-Second Congress, First Session, Subcommittee on Department of Defense, Part 4 (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1971. p. 1237.
  76. 1 2 "Air Carrier Financing Woes Stall Deliveries of Finished Transports". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 93 (16): 34. 19 October 1970. ISSN 0005-2175.
  77. 1 2 "News Digest". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 93 (16): 23. 19 October 1970. ISSN 0005-2175.
  78. ↑ "Airlift's Outlook Improved By Recapitalization, Profits". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 97 (17): 26. 23 October 1972. ISSN 0005-2175.
  79. ↑ "Airlift Has New President". Miami Herald. 63 (12): 4B. 12 December 1972. ISSN 0898-865X.
  80. ↑ "Flying Tiger Line ready to buy Airlift here for $17.2 million". Miami News. 78 (135): 16A. 17 October 1973. OCLC 10000467.
  81. ↑ "Airlift, Flying Tiger End Talks". Miami Herald. 64 (58): 9H. 27 January 1974. ISSN 0898-865X.
  82. ↑ "U.S. steps up its airlift to Cambodia". San Francisco Examiner. 110 (223): 14. 26 February 1975. ISSN 2574-593X.
  83. ↑ Regulation of Air Cargo Freight Transportation: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, United States Senate, Ninety-Sixth Congress, First Session, April 5, 1979 (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1979. p. 74. hdl:2027/mdp.39015083087208.
  84. ↑ "News Digest". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 104 (11): 210. 15 March 1976. ISSN 0005-2175.
  85. ↑ Freight Hearing 1979, p. 108.
  86. ↑ Holt W. Webster (subject) (1985). Interview with Holt Webster #5 (video). Seattle: Museum of History & Industry. Event occurs at 2:25–6:00. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  87. ↑ "Cargo Airlines Expand Fleets". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 107 (20): 34. 14 November 1977. ISSN 0005-2175.
  88. ↑ To Broaden the Power of the Civil Aeronautics Board to Grant Relief by Exemption in Certain Cases: Hearings before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, House of Representatives, August 31 and September 1, 1976 (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1976. p. 232. hdl:2027/mdp.39015081121306.
  89. ↑ "Flying Tiger moves to southern routes". Miami News. 82 (191): 10A. 18 January 1978. OCLC 10000467.
  90. 1 2 Supplement to the Handbook of Airline Statistics, Covering Calendar Years 1973 and 1974 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. November 1975. p. 55. hdl:2027/uc1.31822024247041.
  91. 1 2 Supplement to the Handbook of Airline Statistics, Calendar Years 1975 and 1976 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. December 1977. p. 51. hdl:2027/uc1.31822008525891.
  92. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (December 1977). Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Vol. XXV-4. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 15. hdl:2027/msu.31293024880498.
  93. ↑ Supplement to the Handbook of Airline Statistics, Calendar Years 1977 and 1978 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. November 1979. p. 51. hdl:2027/osu.32435025695669.
  94. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (December 1980). Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Vol. XXVII-4. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 66. hdl:2027/osu.32435022510960.
  95. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (December 1981). Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 32. hdl:2027/msu.31293024880605.
  96. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (December 1982). Air Carrier Financial Statistics (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 32. hdl:2027/msu.31293024880506.
  97. ↑ "Riddle Seeks To Buy Latin Air System". Miami News. 65 (325): 8A. 24 April 1961. OCLC 10000467.
  98. ↑ "Airline Merger Is Turned Down". Miami Herald. 53 (353): 2B. 19 November 1963. ISSN 0898-865X.
  99. ↑ "Airlift Cargo Profit Zooms Here". Miami News. 70 (138): 12A. 15 November 1965. OCLC 10000467.
  100. ↑ "Reopened Aerovias Sud Americana Case". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 49. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 655–681. August–December 1968. hdl:2027/osu.32437011658016.
  101. ↑ "Frustrated Airlift exec wants Latin American cargo route". Miami News. 80 (11): 8A. 17 May 1975. OCLC 10000467.
  102. ↑ "United States-Latin America All-Cargo Service Investigation". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 76. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 443–506. February–May 1978. hdl:2027/ien.35559002074593.
  103. ↑ "Airlift International Wins Latin American Routes". Miami Herald. 68 (135): 5D. 14 April 1978. ISSN 0898-865X.
  104. ↑ "Cargo airline scraps U.S. routes to ply lucrative overseas market". Miami News. 85 (22): 10A. 28 May 1980. OCLC 10000467.
  105. ↑ "Miami air-cargo firm struggles to finish survival course". Miami Herald. 71 (119): 1F. 29 March 1981. ISSN 0898-865X.
  106. ↑ "Airlift grounded by financial problems". Miami Herald. 71 (181): 4B. 30 May 1981. ISSN 0898-865X.
  107. ↑ "Airlift limps into bankruptcy court". Miami Herald. 71 (187): 4B. 5 June 1981. ISSN 0898-865X.
  108. ↑ "2 trustees are appointed to take over Airlift". Miami Herald. 71 (345): 1C. 10 November 1981. ISSN 0898-865X.
  109. ↑ "Hawaiian Gets New Chief". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 71 (306): C7. 2 November 1982. ISSN 2326-1137.
  110. ↑ "Airlift takes steps towards flying again". Miami News: 10A. 9 June 1982. OCLC 10000467.
  111. ↑ "8-year bankruptcy case finally ends". Miami Herald. 79 (58): E13. 27 January 1989. ISSN 0898-865X.
  112. ↑ "Aviation firm buys Airlift International". Miami Herald. 81 (250): B5. 7 August 1991. ISSN 0898-865X.
  113. ↑ "The longest bankruptcy". Miami Herald. 82 (95): C1. 4 March 1992. ISSN 0898-865X.
  114. ↑ "Batchelor backs out of Airlift deal". Miami Herald. 82 (103): C1. 12 March 1992. ISSN 0898-865X.
  115. ↑ Air Carrier Aircraft Utilization and Propulsion Reliability Report (Report). Oklahoma City: Federal Aviation Administration. June 1992. pp. 59, 111. hdl:2027/uc1.$c49638. Air carrier designation=RDLA.
  116. ↑ Air Carrier Aircraft Utilization and Propulsion Reliability Report (Report). Oklahoma City: Federal Aviation Administration. July 1992. pp. 58, 74, 105, 111–112. hdl:2027/uc1.$c49639. Air carrier designation=RDLA.
  117. ↑ "Auction notice". Business Monday. Miami Herald. 82 (247): 24. 3 August 1992. ISSN 0898-865X.
  118. ↑ "Flying Tiger announcement of 1 October merger completion". San Francisco Chronicle. 116 (222): 29. 1 October 1980. ISSN 1932-8672.
  119. ↑ "Fed Ex, Tigers merger is official". Memphis Commercial Appeal. 150 (244): B4. 8 August 1989. ISSN 0745-4856.
  120. ↑ Annual Report: Fiscal Year 1977 and Transitional Quarter (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. May 1978. pp. 154–155. hdl:2027/pst.000067708109.
  121. ↑ "U.S. Scheduled Air Transport Industry". Aviation Week. 56 (8): 113. 25 February 1952. ISSN 0005-2175.
  122. ↑ "Local Group Buys Riddle Airlines". Miami Herald (168): 1. 19 May 1953. ISSN 0898-865X.
  123. ↑ "World Airline Directory". Flight. 73 (2569): 546. 18 April 1958. ISSN 0015-3710.
  124. ↑ "Riddle Airlines Planning Expansion". Boston Globe. CLXXX (126): 43. 3 November 1961. ISSN 0743-1791.
  125. ↑ FAA Statistical Handbook of Aviation (Report) (1966 ed.). Federal Aviation Agency. August 1966. pp. 138, 140, 143, 145. hdl:2027/coo.31924106383650.
  126. ↑ FAA Statistical Handbook of Aviation (Report). Federal Aviation Administration. November 1967. pp. 143, 145, 148, 150. hdl:2027/coo.31924106383650.
  127. ↑ "Slick Route Acquisition Aids Airlift Growth". Aviation Week and Space Technology. 88 (23): 33. 3 June 1968. ISSN 0005-2175.
  128. ↑ FAA Statistical Handbook of Aviation (Report) (1972 ed.). Federal Aviation Administration. p. 113. hdl:2027/coo.31924106378312.
  129. ↑ Endres, Günter G. (1987). 1987–88 World Airline Fleets. Feltham, Middlesex, UK: Browcom Publishing. p. 129. ISBN 0946141304.
  130. ↑ Klee, Ulrich (May 1989). JP airline-fleets international 89 (23 ed.). Glattbrugg, Switzerland: Bucher Publications. p. 326. ISBN 9783857581236.
  131. ↑ Mason, Francis K. (1984). Lockheed Hercules. Wellingborough (UK): Patrick Stephens. p. 219. ISBN 9780850596984.
  132. ↑ Aircraft Accident Report, Saturn Airways, Inc., Lockheed L-382, N14ST, Springfield, Illinois, May 23, 1974 (Report). Washington, DC: National Transportation Safety Board. 22 January 1975. hdl:2027/coo.31924004281170.
  133. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (14 September 1956). Aircraft Accident Report: Riddle Airlines, Inc., C-46F, N 9904F, Hollywood, South Carolina, December 17, 1955 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. doi:10.21949/1500666.
  134. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (15 September 1958). Aircraft Accident Report: Riddle Airlines, Inc., C-46R, N 3955C, Miami, Florida, Airport, December 20, 1957 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. doi:10.21949/1500712.
  135. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (13 March 1952). Aircraft Accident Report: Continental Charters, Inc., Near Little Valley, New York, December 29, 1951 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. doi:10.21949/1500557.
  136. ↑ Civil Aeronautics Board (1 September 1959). Aircraft Accident Report: Riddle Airlines, Inc., Curtiss C-46R, N 7840B, Alma, Georgia, March 30, 1959 (Report). Civil Aeronautics Board. doi:10.21949/1500737.
  137. ↑ Aircraft Accident Report, Airlift International, Inc., DC-7C, N2282, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, September 12, 1966 (PDF) (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. 26 February 1968.
  138. ↑ "Douglas DC-7CF N4059K, Friday 30 December 1966". asn.flightsafety.org. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  139. ↑ "Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6936C, Thursday 22 June 1967". asn.flightsafety.org. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  140. ↑ "Aircraft accident Lockheed L-100 Hercules N760AL, Saturday 24 December 1968". asn.flightsafety.org. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  141. ↑ Hercules Crashes On Slope, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 24 December 1968
  142. ↑ "McDonnell Douglas DC-8-63CF N6164A, Saturday 23 March 1974". asn.flightsafety.org. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  143. ↑ "Fairchild F-27 N273RD, Monday 24 August 1992". aviation-safety.org. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  144. ↑ "Fairchild F-27M N276RD, Monday 24 August 1992". aviation-safety.org. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
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