A working plane built in the 1980s to replicate the early 20th century Benoist Model 14 biplane can be
seen in the St. Petersburg Museum of History in the Pier District.
GRAM
airline operated until May 5, 1914, after several
incident-free months of operation. Although it
had carried about 1,205 paying passengers, the
airline was not a profitable business at that time.
While you are admiring the stainless steel
airplane sculpture on your right as you enter
the St. Pete Pier, be sure to go inside the St.
Petersburg Museum of History, which is located
in the building to the left of the pier’s entrance.
Inside is a Benoist Model 14 replica built in 1983
by the Florida Aviation Historical Society to
recall the early aircraft. On October 9, 1983, it
had its first of about 30 flights, all of which were
flown by Edward Hoffman of Tarpon Springs.
Since no original drawings could be found
of the 1914 plane, the new replica was made
with a Chevrolet 6-cylinder engine. Hoffman
flew the plane on New Year’s Day in 1984 to
commemorate the Jannus flight from 70 years
earlier. The replica, which logged 6 hours and
40 minutes of flying time over the years, now
soars overhead in the museum’s gallery. 9 This stainless steel airplane sculpture by Mark Aeling at the
St. Pete Pier recalls the early days of commercial aviation.
MARCH/APRIL 2021 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 135
ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM OF HISTORY