Transmigratori

Gen. Italo Balbo (from September 1929 - Italian Minister of the Air Force) led two transatlantic flights. The first was of twelve Savoia-Marchetti (SIAI) S.55 flying boats from Orbetello, Italy to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between 17 December 1930 and 15 January 1931. For about a decade large aircraft formations were dubbed 'balbo'. In Italy a special term, transmigratori, was invented to honor aviators who took part in the long-distance flights.