Wings Over Istanbul
The Life and Flights of a Pioneer Aviator

By Johnnie Polando, with Dorothy Polando

Biography. Aviation history.

In 1931, just four years after Lindbergh flew the Atlantic, Polando and Russell Boardman left from Floyd Bennett airfield and flew their single engine Bellanca nonstop to Istanbul, Turkey. After 5,011 miles in the air, the duo landed with only 15 minutes fuel remaining in their tanks, but they set the record for long distance non-stop flight.

Just two years after this record-breaking journey, Boardman was killed in a crash, but Polando flew for the rest of his life, mainly in New England. One highlight was his participation in the 1934 MacRobertson race, 11,123 miles from England to Australia. Polando and his fellow pilot only got as far as Calcutta. But earlier they landed in the Persian desert where Polando was briefly held captive by Arabs. Later, while in his 40s, he enlisted as a World War II pilot.

In recognition of their contribution to aviation, Boardman-Polando field in Hyannis, Massachusetts, was named in their honor on the fiftieth anniversary of their flight.

John Polando died in 1985, but the material for this book had been gathered by his wife, Dorothy, who had reviewed it with her husband.

Nonfiction. 144 pp. 40 black and white photographs.
7 x 10" Paper. 0-914339-84-2 $14.95

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