Associated Motion Picture Pilots
Encyclopedia
Associated Motion Picture Pilots (AMPP) was a union of aviator
s who worked as stunt pilots in the Hollywood film industry. The group, one of the first unions in film work, was organized by Pancho Barnes
in 1931 and formally established on January 4, 1932. It set "a virtual monopoly on motion picture flying."
era, stunt pilots were self-employed. In 1924, three aviators formed "The Black Cats" union, later gaining ten more members to make "Thirteen Black Cats." The Black Cats were the first to set a standard for stunt flier wages. The Black Cats performed stunts live in front of crowds as well as for films. At the end of the 1920s, some of the fliers had died and others changed careers.
In September 1930, Pancho Barnes met with several aviators and began to organize more pilots so that they could take more control of filming conditions and increase the safety of stunts in what was an extremely dangerous line of work. They also sought insurance for medical emergencies caused by flying accidents, and they wished to set a standard for payment, using the fee scale first established by the Black Cats.
The AMPP pushed for a minimum standard of pay for pilots performing stunts in films. AMPP aviators were paid $350 per week of filming in addition to fees paid for more dangerous stunts. In 1938, the AMPP modified this to $50 per eight-hour day of straight flying and $100 per day of stunt flying.
. Leo Nomis was chosen the first president, but was dead a month later in a plane crash while filming aerial scenes for Sky Bride. Nomis had been doubling for lead actor Jack Holt
who was himself a stunt man but was not an aviator. Clarke picked up the presidency after the death of Nomis. By 1938, Grace was serving as president.
The stunt pilot Paul Mantz
had been asking for less money than AMPP standards and had been taking work from union pilots. When Mantz decided to join AMPP so that he could get more money, AMPP required of him more than the usual challenges. Mantz performed 46 outside loops in a row, setting a world record, and was allowed to join.
to fly in his film Hell's Angels
were later members of AAMP, and were well compensated.
Aerial scenes in The Eagle and the Hawk
were filmed in 1933 under AMPP auspices. Parachute Jumper
, also filmed in 1933, used AMPP fliers.
Men With Wings in 1938 employed several AMPP pilots led by Mantz who not only flew stunts but served as director of aerial photography.
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
s who worked as stunt pilots in the Hollywood film industry. The group, one of the first unions in film work, was organized by Pancho Barnes
Pancho Barnes
Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes was a pioneer aviator, the founder of the first test pilots union and the owner of the Happy Bottom Riding Club, a bar and restaurant. She broke Amelia Earhart's air speed record in 1930...
in 1931 and formally established on January 4, 1932. It set "a virtual monopoly on motion picture flying."
Union formation
During the silent filmSilent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
era, stunt pilots were self-employed. In 1924, three aviators formed "The Black Cats" union, later gaining ten more members to make "Thirteen Black Cats." The Black Cats were the first to set a standard for stunt flier wages. The Black Cats performed stunts live in front of crowds as well as for films. At the end of the 1920s, some of the fliers had died and others changed careers.
In September 1930, Pancho Barnes met with several aviators and began to organize more pilots so that they could take more control of filming conditions and increase the safety of stunts in what was an extremely dangerous line of work. They also sought insurance for medical emergencies caused by flying accidents, and they wished to set a standard for payment, using the fee scale first established by the Black Cats.
The AMPP pushed for a minimum standard of pay for pilots performing stunts in films. AMPP aviators were paid $350 per week of filming in addition to fees paid for more dangerous stunts. In 1938, the AMPP modified this to $50 per eight-hour day of straight flying and $100 per day of stunt flying.
Members
Some of the charter members were Frank Clarke, Al Wilson, and Dick GraceDick Grace
Dick Grace was born in Morris, Minnesota and was an early stunt pilot who specialised in crashing planes for films. Grace was one of the few stunt pilots who died of old age. He was the author of several books including Squadron of Death, Crash Pilot, I am still alive, and Visibility Unlimited...
. Leo Nomis was chosen the first president, but was dead a month later in a plane crash while filming aerial scenes for Sky Bride. Nomis had been doubling for lead actor Jack Holt
Jack Holt (actor)
Jack Holt was an American motion picture actor. He was a leading man of silent and sound films, and was known for his many roles in Westerns.-Early life:...
who was himself a stunt man but was not an aviator. Clarke picked up the presidency after the death of Nomis. By 1938, Grace was serving as president.
The stunt pilot Paul Mantz
Paul Mantz
Albert Paul Mantz was a noted air racing pilot, movie stunt pilot and consultant from the late 1930s until his death in the mid-1960s. He gained fame on two stages: Hollywood and in air races.-Early years:...
had been asking for less money than AMPP standards and had been taking work from union pilots. When Mantz decided to join AMPP so that he could get more money, AMPP required of him more than the usual challenges. Mantz performed 46 outside loops in a row, setting a world record, and was allowed to join.
Films
Many of the pilots hired by Howard HughesHoward Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
to fly in his film Hell's Angels
Hell's Angels (film)
Hell's Angels is a 1930 American war film, directed by Howard Hughes and starring Jean Harlow, Ben Lyon, and James Hall. The film, which was produced by Hughes and written by Harry Behn and Howard Estabrook, centers on the combat pilots of World War I...
were later members of AAMP, and were well compensated.
Aerial scenes in The Eagle and the Hawk
The Eagle and the Hawk (1933 film)
The Eagle and the Hawk is a war film starring Fredric March and Cary Grant as World War I Royal Air Force fighter pilots. The supporting cast includes Jack Oakie and Carole Lombard. March gave an outstanding performance as a pilot who cracks under the strain of war. Aerial scenes are brief but...
were filmed in 1933 under AMPP auspices. Parachute Jumper
Parachute Jumper
Parachute Jumper is a 1933 black-and-white drama film starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Bette Davis and Frank McHugh. It was based on a story by Rian James entitled "Some Call It Love".-Plot:...
, also filmed in 1933, used AMPP fliers.
Men With Wings in 1938 employed several AMPP pilots led by Mantz who not only flew stunts but served as director of aerial photography.