Big jet check at Delta

Abstract

It all began with the Boll Weevil and its attack on the cotton crop of the South. This motivated the start of an airline that pioneered a crop dusting counter attack from the air. That was back in the early 1920s. Today the name is Delta Air Lines, Inc., Atlanta, Ga— with over $1 billion worth of aircraft in service. It's the nation's sixth largest airline—and boasts an enviable ground support system and passenger service record. That's a long way from the days of its forerunner, Huff Daland Dusters, and Delta's subsequent first passenger flight in 1929 — with the six‐place 90 mile‐per‐hour Travelaire. Non‐destructive testing was young then, too, and in a few short years Magnaflux Corporation's pioneer inspection techniques joined the Delta maintenance and overhaul effort. Delta's family of professionals provide air service to 90 cities in 29 states, five foreign countries and Puerto Rico. Its jet fleet of 193 planes consists of Boeing 727s, DC‐8s, DC‐9s, Boeing 747s and L‐1011 Tri‐Stars. Delta is, indeed, “Ready When You Are” and the quality control and total inspection team are an important part of the reason.