Associated Motion Picture Pilots facts for kids

The Associated Motion Picture Pilots (AMPP) was a special group, like a club or union, for pilots who did amazing stunts in Hollywood movies. It was one of the very first unions for people working in films. A brave pilot named Pancho Barnes started it in 1931, and it officially began on January 4, 1932. This group became very important, almost like the only place to find pilots for movie stunts.

How the Pilots Formed a Union

Early Stunt Pilots

Before the AMPP, during the time of silent films, stunt pilots worked for themselves. In 1924, three pilots created a group called "The Black Cats." Later, ten more pilots joined them, making "Thirteen Black Cats." This group was the first to set a standard for how much stunt pilots should be paid. The Black Cats performed exciting stunts both live for crowds and in movies. By the end of the 1920s, some of these pilots had sadly passed away, and others chose different jobs.

Pancho Barnes and the AMPP

In September 1930, Pancho Barnes met with several pilots. She wanted to organize them so they could have more say in how movies were filmed. Her main goal was to make dangerous flying stunts much safer. They also wanted to get insurance in case a pilot was hurt in an accident. Plus, they aimed to set a fair price for their work, using the payment ideas from the old Black Cats group.

Fair Pay for Pilots

The AMPP worked hard to make sure pilots got paid a minimum amount for their stunt work in films. Pilots who were part of the AMPP earned $350 for each week they filmed. They also received extra money for stunts that were more dangerous. In 1938, the AMPP changed these rules. Pilots would get $50 for a full eight-hour day of regular flying. For stunt flying, they would earn $100 per day.

Important Members of the AMPP

First Leaders and Challenges

Some of the first members of the AMPP included Frank Clarke, Al Wilson, and Dick Grace. Leo Nomis was chosen as the first president of the group. However, just one month later, he died in a plane crash while filming for the movie Sky Bride. Nomis was flying in place of the main actor, Jack Holt, who was a stuntman but not a pilot. After Nomis's death, Frank Clarke became the new president. By 1938, Dick Grace was serving as the president.

Paul Mantz's Amazing Feat

A famous stunt pilot named Paul Mantz used to charge less money than the AMPP's set rates. This meant he was taking jobs away from union pilots. When Mantz decided he wanted to join the AMPP to earn more money, the union gave him a very difficult challenge. Mantz had to perform 46 "outside loops" in a row. An outside loop is a very tricky airplane maneuver. He successfully did it, setting a world record! After this amazing feat, he was allowed to join the AMPP.

Movies Featuring AMPP Pilots

Many pilots hired by Howard Hughes for his movie Hell's Angels later became members of the AMPP. They were paid very well for their work.

Aerial scenes in the 1933 film The Eagle and the Hawk were filmed with the help of AMPP pilots. Another movie from 1933, Parachute Jumper, also used fliers from the AMPP.

In 1938, the movie Men With Wings hired several AMPP pilots. Paul Mantz led this group. He not only flew stunts but also helped direct how the aerial scenes were filmed.