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

P-51 ‘Lucy Gal’ Project Update – A Homegrown Mustang

Follow the progress of the P-51 Lucy Gal project in Rochester, NY, honoring Tuskegee Airman…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Official U.S. Airmail Flight

On September 23, 1911, Earle Ovington completed the first official U.S. airmail flight, marking the…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Grumman F-14 Tomcat Retires from U.S. Naval Service

On September 22, 2006, the F-14 Tomcat officially retired from U.S. Navy service. Explore the…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress

On September 21, 1942, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress made its first flight, marking a major…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the de Havilland Vampire

Learn about the de Havilland Vampire, which first flew on September 20, 1943. A pioneering…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy

Discover the history of the Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy, which first flew on September 19,…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-20

Discover the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-20 — a rare, high-performance short-body airliner built for SAS with…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Powered Flight of the North American X-15

Discover the story of the North American X-15’s first powered flight on September 17, 1959,…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the North American Sabreliner

Discover the history of the North American Sabreliner’s first flight on September 16, 1958. Learn…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Jackie Cochran Breaks Flight Distance Record

Celebrate Jackie Cochran’s 1961 world record flight! Discover how she flew a Northrop T-38 Talon…

Austin Hancock