William E. Dubois

William E. Dubois is an aviation writer, world speed record holder, and National Champion air racer. He teaches “rusty pilot” seminars for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

To turn Warbler, a 1946 Ercoupe, into a reasonable stunt double for the de Havilland DH-4s flown by early airmail pilots, our correspondent ordered “U.S. MAIL” markings. He also bought himself a leather helmet and goggles. Wouldn’t you?

I Flew the Same Route as the 1920s Airmail Pilots, and Lived to Tell the Tale

From Omaha to Salt Lake City, without GPS.

The author’s 1947 Ercoupe 415‑CD at home in its New Mexico hangar, decorated with framed Ercoupe images taken from advertisements and magazine covers.

Wanted: One Ercoupe, Lightly Used

Learning to fly was the easy part. Try buying an airplane.

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