The Concrete Arrows story

16 Oct 2014

Flying from Grants-Milan airfield, New Mexico.

Ever since I first heard about those concrete arrows for early trans-continental navigation, I've been interested in them.  I guess I first heard about them on the internet.  While still in Australia, I found out the locations of several of those remaining, and determined to fly over some of them.  I had found and flown over three near St George UT, one near Tooele UT, one near Wendover NV, and one near here.

When I got over here, I was surprised to find that very few American pilots had even heard of them.....  Then I finally struck lucky at Grants-Milan airfield in New Mexico.  They not only know of many such arrows, but are are establishing a museum about that form of navigation.  Steve is the driving force behind this museum, and shared a whole lot of knowledge with me.

It turns out that there was a lot more to the system than just the arrows.  That plaque near an arrow near St George, Utah, stated that there was just a kerosene light on the tower.  But this restored tower at the Grant-Milan museum shows what was really there.  There was a powerful rotating beacon, plus a 'lane' light beamed along the flight path.  All this was powered by a generator in the hut, controlled by a time switch and relays, making for a sophisticated automatic system for that time.  There were large fuel tanks, so the beacon could work unattended for weeks or even months at a time, especially in winter when some sites would be inaccessible.  Then a roving technician would make the rounds and service and fuel the beacons.  These beacons were spaced 10 miles apart, along the transcontinental air routes, so that made for a whole lot of beacons, about 1800 I'm told.  It was a giant undertaking that first made it possible to have trans-continental mail and passenger services, and should be be more recognized in aviation history.  In the 1930s radio navigation facilities took their place.

There's a good story of it all at:
http://sometimes-interesting.com/2013/12/04/concrete-arrows-and-the-u-s-airmail-beacon-system/#more-7727

The restored beacon at Grants-Milan airfield museum.
The 'LA-A' signifies the Los Angelese - Albuquerque airway.

This is the arrow near Casa Blanca, NM,
 that I had located on Google Maps while still in Australia,
and came to Grants-Milan to fly it.
#64 on the Los Angeles/Albuquerque route.
All the arrows that I found are pointing eastward....

I hiked up to the arrow for a better look.

Airliners are still flying the same route,
but I don't think they can see the arrow from up there.....

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