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

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed JetStar

On September 4, 1957, Lockheed JetStar, the first purpose-built private jet, took flight—becoming a business…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Jimmy Doolittle Sets a New Airspeed Record

On September 3, 1932, Jimmy Doolittle set a world airspeed record of 309.04 mph in…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Nonstop Flight from Europe to the United States

On September 2, 1930, French pilots Dieudonné Coste and Maurice Bellonte completed the first nonstop…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the North American P-64 (NA-68)

On September 1, 1940, the North American P-64 (NA-68) made its first flight. Originally destined…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed U-2

Discover the story of the Lockheed U-2’s first flight on August 1, 1955, and how…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the NAMC YS-11

On August 30, 1962, the NAMC YS-11 made its first flight, becoming Japan’s first and…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10

On August 29, 1970, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 made its first flight. Explore the history,…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Caproni Campini N.1

On August 27, 1940, the Caproni Campini N.1 made its first flight. Discover the story…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Martin AM Mauler

Discover the story of the Martin AM Mauler, a powerful but troubled U.S. Navy attack…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Handley Page Dart Herald

On August 25, 1955, the Handley Page Dart Herald made its first flight. Developed as…

Austin Hancock