PASCO, Wash. – The Tri-Cities is celebrating a century of aviation history, marking the first time mail was delivered by air. The Commercial Aviation Centennial Committee is highlighting this milestone, which has roots in Pasco.
One hundred years ago in Pasco, Walter Varney, a World War I pilot, transformed the future of mail delivery. He secured a contract to fly air mail as a private citizen, a task no one had attempted before.
“It starts with Walter Varney who decided to bid on this contract that nobody else had actually bid on, and he got this contract to fly air mail that had, as a private citizen, nobody had ever done before he started an airline. And that airline became a huge global airline,” said the Commercial Aviation Centennial Committee chair Nathan Hall.
In 1926, Varney Air Lines made history by shipping the first U.S. mail via airplane. Malin Bergstrom, Volunteer President of the Pasco Aviation Museum, reflected on this achievement saying, “It’s hard to imagine the start of aviation in our little hometown of Pasco, WA. But that’s really what it is, a little plane carrying the mail on the first contracted flight is how commercial aviation began.”
Today, the focus is on inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts in Pasco. “There are many opportunities for the kids in our community, from whatever background, to be able to, working in the field of their choice so that they can have a fulfilling career and fulfilling life,” said Hall.
The aviation industry has turned a remarkable engineering feat into a routine mode of transportation. “The magic of airplanes and aviation has just become second nature to a lot of people. And while that’s a wonderful thing and we are glad that it’s a magical experience, it can also lead to not remembering what an advantage it is to be able to fly pretty much anywhere now,” added Bergstrom.
As residents enjoy modern conveniences like one-day package delivery, they can look up and appreciate Varney Air Lines, which started it all right here in the Tri-Cities.
