Austin Hancock

Commercial Pilot, CFI, and Museum Entrepreneur, with a subject focus on WWII Aviation. I am dedicated to building flight experience so I can fly WWII Fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, for museums and airshows, and in the USAF Heritage Flight. I lead and run the Pennington Flight Memorial, to honor local MIA Tuskegee Airman F/O Leland “Sticky” Pennington.
11 Articles

Flying A Milkstool Pilot Report on the Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer

Pilot Austin Hancock takes the 1957 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer for a spin, sharing its history,…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Embraer ERJ-145

On August 11, 1995, the Embraer ERJ-145 first took flight, launching a successful regional jet…

Austin Hancock

Building the Last Convair B-36: Handmade Peacemaker Cockpit Project Progresses

Brian Pierson advances his scratch-built Convair B-36H cockpit, adding aluminum canopy work, functional controls, and…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History First Flight of the Avro Canada C102 Jetliner

On August 10, 1949, the Avro Canada C102 Jetliner became the world’s second purpose-built jet…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight Past the Sound Barrier in Canada

On August 9, 1950, Alexander John “Al” Lilly became the first Canadian to break the…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Non-Stop Flight from Canada to England

On August 8, 1934, pilots James Ayling and Leonard Reid completed the first non-stop flight…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Nakajima Kikka

Eighty years ago, on August 7, 1945, Japan’s first turbojet aircraft, the Nakajima Kikka, took…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Boulton Paul P.120

On August 6, 1952, the Boulton Paul P.120, an experimental delta-wing research aircraft, made its…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the HAL HT-2

On August 5, 1951, the HAL HT-2 made its maiden flight, becoming India’s first indigenous…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the English Electric Lightning P.1A

Discover the story of the English Electric Lightning P.1A, the RAF’s iconic Mach 2 Cold…

Austin Hancock