This excerpt from Erik Conway's Blind Landings chronicles the history of low-visibility flight operations in American aviation from 1918 to 1958. The book examines the development of instrument landing systems, highlighting the interplay between technological advancements, pilot training, and regulatory policies. It explores the challenges posed by weather conditions and the resulting accidents, tracing the evolution from early systems like leader cables to the adoption of radar-based technologies during World War II. The narrative also details the political and economic factors influencing the adoption of different systems, particularly the controversy between ILS and GCA. Finally, the text concludes by discussing how the pursuit of blind landings ultimately led to the development of integrated air traffic control systems.
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