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: Charles Lindbergh Completes First Solo Transatlantic Flight

On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in his…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Saab 17

On May 18, 1940, Sweden’s Saab 17 made its maiden flight, marking the debut of…

Austin Hancock

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

On May 17, 1945, the Lockheed P-2 Neptune took flight for the first time, marking…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Top Gun Opens in U.S. Theaters

On May 16, 1986, Top Gun soared into theaters, launching a cultural phenomenon that inspired…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the AMX International AMX

On May 15, 1984, the AMX International AMX made its first flight, marking the beginning…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Boeing 367-80 Prototype Rolls Off the Assembly Line

On May 14, 1954, Boeing’s revolutionary Dash 80 prototype rolled off the assembly line in…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the English Electric Canberra

On this day in aviation history, 76 years ago—May 13, 1949—the English Electric Canberra took…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Joan Merriam Smith Completes Around-the-World Flight

On this day in aviation history, 61 years ago—May 12, 1964—American pilot Joan Merriam Smith…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Douglas DC-2

On May 11, 1934, the Douglas DC-2 took its first flight, marking a major leap…

Austin Hancock