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June 19, 2026When people hear the name Jannus, they often think of Tony Jannus and the world’s first scheduled commercial airline. But his younger brother, Roger Weightman Jannus, also played an important role in aviation history.
In 1914, Roger served as a pilot for the St. Petersburg–Tampa Airboat Line, the pioneering service that connected the two cities across Tampa Bay. In addition to flying charter trips, he worked as an instructor at the Benoist Flying School, helping train pilots during the earliest years of powered flight.
Roger was known among aviators for developing a technique to recover from dangerous tailspins, an important advancement at a time when aircraft were often unpredictable and flying remained a risky endeavor. His work helped improve pilot safety and contributed to the growing understanding of aircraft control.
During World War I, Roger joined the Aviation Section of the U.S. Signal Corps and rose to the rank of captain. Tragically, he was killed in France in 1918 while testing a military aircraft. He was just 32 years old, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, service, and courage during aviation’s formative years.