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.
384 Articles

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Westland Lysander

n June 15, 1936, the Westland Lysander made its first flight. Designed for army co-operation,…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Hawker Hotspur

On June 14, 1938, the Hawker Hotspur took flight for the first time. Designed as…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Boeing 767 Sets Nonstop Commercial Flight Record

On June 13, 1990, a Boeing 767-200ER set a nonstop commercial flight distance record, flying…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander

On June 12, 1965, the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander made its first flight. This versatile, rugged…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Kawanishi E11K

On June 11, 1937, the Kawanishi E11K made its first flight. Intended as a night…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Ruth Law Breaks Women’s Altitude Record

On June 10, 1919, Ruth Law set a new women’s altitude record at 14,700 feet.…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Northrop YF-17

On June 9, 1974, the Northrop YF-17 made its first flight. Though it lost the…

Austin Hancock

Gordon H. Root, a Mustang Pilot Not To Be Forgotten: Honoring a Rochester, NY P-51 Mustang Pilot Lost Too Soon

2nd Lt. Gordon H. Root of Victor, New York, never saw combat overseas—but his sacrifice…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Supermarine S.5 Racer

On June 7, 1927, the Supermarine S.5 made its first flight. Designed by Reginald Mitchell…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning

On June 6, 1944, the Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning made its first flight. Designed as…

Austin Hancock