Wright Brothers’ Famed First Flight
On December 17, 1903, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Flight
Founding of the Civil Air Patrol
On December 1, 1941, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), was established in Washington, DC. Unpaid volunteers formed the Civil Air Patrol, using privately owned aircraft and their own funds to support the military.
Birth of Alan Shepard
Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr was born on November 18, 1923, in Derry, New Hampshire. He was the first American (second person after Yuri Gagarin) to travel into space and the fifth person to walk on the Moon.
First Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery
On August 30, 1984, the Space Shuttle Discovery made its first launch into space, two months later than initially planned. It would go on to make more flights than any other shuttle in its fleet.
First Photo of Earth Taken from the Moon
On August 23, 1966, Lunar Orbiter I captured the first images of our planet from the vicinity of the Moon. Photographing Earth wasn’t the mission. It wasn’t even considered until the craft was out in space.
Death of WWI Ace Eddie Rickenbacker
On July 23, 1973, Eddie Rickenbacker died in Züruch, Switzerland. As a World War I flying ace, he shot down 22 enemy planes and four balloons.
Happy Birthday Henry “Hap” Arnold
General of the Air Force Henry “Hap” Arnold was born on June 25, 1886, in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He was an early supporter of military air power, and later became the Air Force’s first five-star general.
First Airmail Carried by Jet
On June 22, 1946, US Airmail was carried by jet for the first time. The flight was part of an event to showcase how GE’s aviation products could positively impact people’s lives and the future.
Birth of Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran was born Bessie Lee Pittman on May 11, 1906, in Pensacola, Florida. The first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, she held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any other pilot, male or female, in the world.