Today in Aviation History

Each day brings a new piece of aviation history to reflect on. Whether it’s a significant milestone or a quiet moment in time, the history of flight is rich with stories that shaped the skies we know today. Join us as we celebrate the moments that made aviation what it is

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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

Today in Aviation History: First Experiments in Cabin Pressurization

On June 8, 1921, the first cabin pressurization test flight took place at McCook Field…

Moreno Aguiari

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

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

On June 5, 1944, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress flew its first combat mission, marking the…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Construction Begins on OV-101 – Space Shuttle Enterprise

On June 4, 1974, NASA began construction of OV-101, later named Space Shuttle Enterprise. Though…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed XF-90

Discover the story of the Lockheed XF-90, a Cold War-era prototype fighter developed as a…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Black Pilot to Shoot Down a Luftwaffe Aircraft

On July 2, 1943, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Charles Hall became the first Black pilot to…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Boeing Model 15

On June 2, 1923, Boeing’s Model 15 fighter biplane made its first flight, ushering in…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Aircraft Flight Across the Pacific Ocean

On May 31, 1928, aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith made history with the first aircraft…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Douglas DC-8

Sixty-seven years ago today, the Douglas DC-8 soared into the skies for the first time,…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair

Eighty-five years ago today, a warbird legend was born. On May 29, 1940, the prototype…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: The Anniversary of Mathias Rust’s Flight to Red Square

On May 28, 1987, 19-year-old West German pilot Mathias Rust stunned the world by landing…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

On May 27, 1958, the skies over St. Louis witnessed a historic moment as the…

Austin Hancock