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 Dornier Do 31

On February 10, 1967, the experimental Dornier Do 31 became the world’s first VTOL jet…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Convair CV-540

On February 9, 1955, the Convair CV-540 flew for the first time, marking an early…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Saab 37 Viggen

On February 8, 1967, the Saab 37 Viggen made its first flight, introducing a groundbreaking…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Kawanishi E7K

On February 6, 1933, the Kawanishi E7K made its first flight, introducing a Japanese naval…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Fairey Firefly II

On February 5, 1929, the Fairey Firefly II made its first flight, marking the debut…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Mitsubishi A5M Claude

On February 4, 1935, the Mitsubishi A5M Claude flew for the first time, becoming the…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Blériot XIII Breaks Passenger-Carrying Record

On February 3, 1911, the experimental Blériot XIII set a world record by carrying eight…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Republic XP-72

On February 2, 1944, the Republic XP-72 made its first flight, showcasing extreme piston-engine performance…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Boeing XF6B

On February 1, 1933, Boeing’s Boeing XF6B made its first flight, marking the company’s final…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Cessna Citation II

The Cessna Citation II made its first flight on January 31, 1977, introducing a stretched,…

Austin Hancock