AIRWAYS HISTORY
The Central American Underdog That Took on the Big Boys :
TAN AIRLINES OF HONDURAS
Story and Photos SCOTT STACHE
TAN Airlines was a unique and resourceful Honduran airline led by the defiant maverick Cornell Newton ‘ CN ’ Shelton , who pushed the limits of his foreign air carrier permit against the US Civil Aeronautics Board ( CAB ) and Pan American World Airways . TAN eventually lost its prestige and stature when it was sold off to private Honduran interests — who , in turn , semi-merged it with national flag-carrier SAHSA Airlines .
BEFORE FOUNDING TAN Airlines in Honduras , CN Shelton had already accumulated extensive experience in aviation . He had learned to fly from none other than future TWA President Jack Frye , barnstormed throughout the United States and Mexico , flown a tour around South America , established Costa Rica ’ s first airline ( ENTA ), and become Chief Pilot for the Central American powerhouse
TACA Airways . All this before 1940 , when he had landed a Pilot job with Transcontinental and Western Air ( TWA ), which later became Trans World Airlines .
When the United States entered World War II , TWA ’ s fleet of long-range , land-based Boeing 307 Stratoliners was assigned to the Air Transport Command military airlift program . This division required a unique cadre of Pilots who were known for their initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with difficult , unplanned contingencies . One of the first to fit this profile was none other than CN Shelton , who was immediately assigned as Captain and , through his excellent performance , rose to superintendent of the division flying the South Atlantic-to- Africa-to-Asia route .
68 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2024 www . airwaysmag . com