Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Wyoming’s skies have always been a frontier for the brave. From the "Cowboys of the Sky" who risked everything to deliver the mail, to modern-day world record holders in hang gliding, Wyoming PBS explores the rich, high-flying history of the Equality State.
In this episode of Best of Our Wyoming, we dive into:
👉 The Birth of Airmail: Discover how Assistant Postmaster General Otto Prager and pilots like Jack Knight defied the odds (and frozen flight suits) to prove that aviation was the future of American commerce.
👉 Technological Innovation: See how the treacherous route through Cheyenne led to the creation of lighted runways and the navigation systems we use in commercial flight today.
👉 The Spirit of Individualism: Meet the Wyoming pilots who pushed the boundaries of human flight, including a record-breaking foot-launched hang gliding journey from Whiskey Peak.
👉 Aerial Firefighting Legacies: Learn about the rise and fall of Hawkins and Powers in Greybull, once the world's largest private firefighting operation.
👉 Modern Magic: Join the Riverton community for their annual Balloon Rally, where the tradition of aviation continues to bring people together.
#WyomingHistory #Aviation #Airmail #HangGliding #Firefighting #HotAirBalloon #Documentary #WyomingPBS
...
Chapter Markers
0:00 - Introduction: The U.S. Falls Behind in Aviation
0:56 - General Billy Mitchell and the Vision for Military Flight
1:13 - Otto Prager and the Birth of Transcontinental Airmail
1:40 - Why Cheyenne Became a Vital Aviation Hub
2:30 - Racing the Railroad: Airplanes vs. Trains
3:02 - The High-Stakes Demonstration of 1921
4:05 - Jack Knight’s Heroic Night Flight through Wyoming
6:06 - Innovation: Lighting the "Airway" from Cheyenne to Chicago
7:05 - The Kelly Airmail Act and the Rise of Commercial Airlines
7:39 - The Lasting Legacy of the Airmail Pioneers
9:20 - Dreams of Flight: The Art of Hang Gliding
10:24 - Setting World Records at Whiskey Peak
12:12 - The Evolution of Powered Trikes and Sharing the Skies
14:21 - Greybull’s Aerial Firefighting Museum
14:53 - The History of Hawkins and Powers Aviation
16:59 - Converting Military Bombers into Firefighters
20:15 - The End of an Era: 2002 Structural Failures
21:37 - Preserving the Legacy of the "World’s Largest" Fleet
22:13 - Hot Air Ballooning: Scenic Adventure vs. Airplanes
23:28 - The Riverton Balloon Rally: A Community Tradition
24:55 - The Challenge of Navigating Without a Steering Wheel
26:38 - The Magic of the Saturday Night Glow
...
With Wyoming PBS content, you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you’re seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
Wyoming’s skies have always been a frontier for the brave. From the "Cowboys of the Sky" who risked everything to deliver the mail, to modern-day world record holders in hang gliding, Wyoming PBS explores the rich, high-flying history of the Equality State.
In this episode of Best of Our Wyoming, we dive into:
👉 The Birth of Airmail: Discover how Assistant Postmaster General Otto Prager and pilots like Jack Knight defied the odds (and frozen flight suits) to prove that aviation was the future of American commerce.
👉 Technological Innovation: See how the treacherous route through Cheyenne led to the creation of lighted runways and the navigation systems we use in commercial flight today.
👉 The Spirit of Individualism: Meet the Wyoming pilots who pushed the boundaries of human flight, including a record-breaking foot-launched hang gliding journey from Whiskey Peak.
👉 Aerial Firefighting Legacies: Learn about the rise and fall of Hawkins and Powers in Greybull, once the world's largest private firefighting operation.
👉 Modern Magic: Join the Riverton community for their annual Balloon Rally, where the tradition of aviation continues to bring people together.
#WyomingHistory #Aviation #Airmail #HangGliding #Firefighting #HotAirBalloon #Documentary #WyomingPBS
...
Chapter Markers
0:00 - Introduction: The U.S. Falls Behind in Aviation
0:56 - General Billy Mitchell and the Vision for Military Flight
1:13 - Otto Prager and the Birth of Transcontinental Airmail
1:40 - Why Cheyenne Became a Vital Aviation Hub
2:30 - Racing the Railroad: Airplanes vs. Trains
3:02 - The High-Stakes Demonstration of 1921
4:05 - Jack Knight’s Heroic Night Flight through Wyoming
6:06 - Innovation: Lighting the "Airway" from Cheyenne to Chicago
7:05 - The Kelly Airmail Act and the Rise of Commercial Airlines
7:39 - The Lasting Legacy of the Airmail Pioneers
9:20 - Dreams of Flight: The Art of Hang Gliding
10:24 - Setting World Records at Whiskey Peak
12:12 - The Evolution of Powered Trikes and Sharing the Skies
14:21 - Greybull’s Aerial Firefighting Museum
14:53 - The History of Hawkins and Powers Aviation
16:59 - Converting Military Bombers into Firefighters
20:15 - The End of an Era: 2002 Structural Failures
21:37 - Preserving the Legacy of the "World’s Largest" Fleet
22:13 - Hot Air Ballooning: Scenic Adventure vs. Airplanes
23:28 - The Riverton Balloon Rally: A Community Tradition
24:55 - The Challenge of Navigating Without a Steering Wheel
26:38 - The Magic of the Saturday Night Glow
...
With Wyoming PBS content, you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you’re seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
