Today In Aviation History: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) is Established

On March 3, 1915, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was officially established by the U.S. Congress, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of American aeronautical research.

Austin Hancock
Austin Hancock
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On March 3, 1915, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was established, laying the foundation for what would later become NASA. Created to “undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research,” NACA played a pivotal role in advancing aviation technology in the United States. At the time, aviation was still in its infancy, but interest in powered flight was rapidly growing worldwide. The establishment of NACA provided a centralized hub for aeronautical research, fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia.

1041px Model in Supersonic Wind Tunnel GPN 2000 001631
An engineer makes final calibrations to a model mounted in the 6-by-6-foot (1.8 m × 1.8 m) supersonic wind tunnel. Image via Wikipedia

The outbreak of World War I accelerated NACA’s mission. Recognizing the increasing role of aircraft in warfare, the U.S. government passed emergency legislation to promote coordination among the nation’s aviation-related projects. Countries like France had already established similar organizations, and the United States sought to ensure it remained at the forefront of aviation innovation.

Vought XSB3U 1 at NACA 1938
Alongside the XSB2U, Vought offered the XSB3U-1 to the competition. Only one example (BuNo 9834) was ever built, and it was later used for flight testing at the NACA Langley Research Center, Virginia, seen here on December 1, 1938 (NASA photo)

Following its approval by Congress and signing into law by President Woodrow Wilson, NACA’s official directive was set: “It shall be the duty of the advisory committee for aeronautics to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight with a view to their practical solution.” In 1920, Orville Wright was appointed to NACA’s board by President Wilson, marking a significant moment in the organization’s early development. Over the following decades, NACA played a crucial role in advancing both military and civilian aviation. The agency established cutting-edge research facilities, including Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia, Ames Aeronautical Laboratory in Moffett Field, California, the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (later Lewis Research Center) in Ohio, and the Muroc Flight Test Unit, which later became Edwards Air Force Base in California.

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The NACA Test Force at the High-Speed Flight Station in Edwards, California. The white aircraft in the foreground is a Douglas Skyrocket.

NACA’s contributions were instrumental in the development of supersonic flight, particularly the Bell X-1 program. Although the U.S. Air Force commissioned and operated the Bell X-1, NACA led much of its research, testing, and development. On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager piloted the Bell X-1 to Mach 1, making it the first aircraft to break the sound barrier.

X 1 in flight
The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-1 (#46-062) in flight. The shock wave pattern in the exhaust plume is visible. The X-1 series aircraft were air-launched from a modified Boeing B-29 or a B-50 Superfortress bomber. The X-1-1 was painted a bright orange by Bell Aircraft. It was thought that the aircraft would be more visible to those doing the tracking during a flight. When NACA received the airplanes, they were painted white, which was an easier color to find in the skies over Muroc Air Field in California. This particular craft was nicknamed “Glamorous Glennis” by Chuck Yeager in honor of his wife and is now on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Photo by NASA

In 1958, as the United States set its sights on space exploration, NACA was transformed into NASA, expanding its mission beyond aeronautics to include human spaceflight and planetary exploration. However, NACA’s pioneering work in aviation remains a cornerstone of modern aerospace technology, influencing everything from commercial airliners to high-speed military jets. The legacy of NACA is one of relentless innovation, scientific discovery, and engineering excellence—an enduring testament to the organization that shaped the future of flight.

P 63 NACA TEST COLOR
A photo of the CAF Airbase Georgia’s P-63 Kingcobra taken in 1945 at Moffett Filed, CA.
NACA P 63 Kingcobra EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017
The CAF Airbase Georgia’s P-63 today.
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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.
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