CAM-11

 The Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act) authorized the postmaster general to contract for domestic airmail service with commercial air carriers. It also set airmail rates and the level of cash subsidies to be paid to companies that carried the mail. By transferring airmail operations to private companies, the government effectively would help create the commercial aviation industry. Various routes were designated and contracts for carrying the mail over these routes were then awarded to many different private air service companies.  

The Contract Air Mail routes became known as CAM’s.
 CAM-11 was awarded to Skyline Transportation Company (Clifford Ball’s Airline).  Skyline was founded in 1926 by enterprising enthusiast, Clifford Ball.  CAM-11 air service was inaugurated with both east and west flights on April 21, 1927 between Cleveland Ohio and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania with an interim stop in Youngstown.

Pittsburgh and McKeesport shared the same airport. Postal mail covers carried on the inaugural flight between each point of landing and take-off are collectible and are known as CAM-11 covers.

 

Skyline Transporation used a Waco 9 bi-plane named “Miss Pittsburgh” for this initial April 21, 1927 air service.
Pilots flying different legs of this April 27th CAM-11 inaugural air service included, Kenneth “Curley” F. Lovejoy, Merle A. Moltrup and Dewey L. Noyes.