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.
385 Articles

National Warplane Museum “Flying Objects” Event Set to Inspire Children

A “show before the (air)show” will take place in Geneseo, New York, specifically geared to…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the SPAD S.XIII

On April 4, 1917, the SPAD S.XIII fighter biplane took its maiden flight, marking a…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of a Commercially Certified Helicopter

On April 3, 1946, the Bell Model 47 made history as the first commercially certified…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the SNCASE Armagnac

On April 2, 1949, the SNCASE S.E.2010 Armagnac took to the skies for its maiden…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the North American AT-6 Texan

On April 1, 1935, the North American NA-16 prototype took its maiden flight, paving the…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Miles Master

Eighty-six years ago today, on March 31, 1939, the Miles M.9 Master took to the…

Austin Hancock

“Stearman Mike” A Midwest Warbird Pilot’s Dedication to Keeping a Famous Trainer Flying

Mike Porter's lifetime in aviation has been dedicated to vintage aviation, especially the care and…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Sikorsky S-42

Ninety-five years ago today, the Sikorsky S-42 took flight for the first time, marking a…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: P-51C Mustang ‘Thunderbird’ Sets Transcontinental Speed Record

Seventy-six years ago, the P-51C Mustang Thunderbird streaked across the skies, setting a transcontinental speed…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Gyroscopically-Stabilized Liquid-Fueled Rocket Launch

Ninety years ago today, on March 28, 1935, Robert H. Goddard launched the first gyroscopically-stabilized…

Austin Hancock