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 Scheduled Supersonic Passenger Trips of the Concorde

On January 21, 1976, Concorde entered commercial service, launching the world’s first scheduled supersonic passenger…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Boeing F2B Introduced into Service

Introduced in 1928, the Boeing F2B marked a key step in U.S. Navy carrier fighter…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Bell X-1

On January 19, 1946, the Bell X-1 flew for the first time, launching a research…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Shipboard Aircraft Landing

On January 18, 1911, Eugene Ely made history by landing a Curtiss pusher on the…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Short SC.7 Skyvan

On January 17, 1963, the Short SC.7 Skyvan made its first flight, introducing the rugged…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Birth of Alfred William Saunders, Irish WWI Fighter Ace

On January 16, 1888, Irish World War I ace Alfred William Saunders was born, a…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Beechcraft Model 18

On January 15, 1937, the Beechcraft Model 18 made its first flight, launching one of…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart

On January 14, 1953, Convair’s YF2Y-1 Sea Dart made its first flight, becoming the only…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Farman F.300

The Farman F.300 made its first flight on January 13, 1930, launching a family of…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Amelia Earhart Makes First Solo Flight – Hawaii to US Mainland

On January 12, 1935, Amelia Earhart completed the first solo flight from Hawaii to the…

Austin Hancock