The National Jet Company, founded by John Cupler and located in LaVale, MD, is renowned for its ability to drill microscopic holes with the use of elaborately designed machines. In order to demonstrate the capability of these machines, John Cupler as the owner and manager of National Jet, decided to install the machines in an aircraft and visit various locations to demonstrate his firm’s ability to perform this minute hole drilling capability. A World War II surplus Twin Beechcraft AT-7 was purchased and refurbished by John Nash, the airport fixed based operator and expert aircraft mechanic. After the installation of the drilling machine and the addition of a plush interior the allowable gross weight limitations of the Twin Beech restricted the aircraft from having a maximum of three personnel on board, two pilots and a passenger. This limiting situation proved not acceptable as the customers often desired to fly on board the aircraft to commute to the National Jet’s home office and factory site in LaVale. Later a Lockheed Lodestar was procured but its operation again was unsatisfactory. The Lodestar required pilots with a type rating certificate for that aircraft. No local pilots could be located that were qualified and appropriately rated for the Lodestar’s desired operation and it was eventually sold. Cupler therefore was unsuccessful in this flying demonstration operation for his company but, nevertheless, the National Jet Company’s unique niche in this business has flourished.
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Wings Over Cumberland 