Boldly go where few have gone before. This statement inspired the aviation industry and has been a rallying cry for pilots ever since. The history of aviation is full of milestones, some of which are more significant than others.
This article concerns aviation history and how it changed the world. It includes articles about the Wright Brothers’ first flight, Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight, Amelia Earhart’s solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and first hot air balloon flight.
The First Flight – 1903
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made history by flying for 59 seconds and covering 120 feet. The flight took place in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, at Kill Devil Hills. That was their first attempt of four that day to fly a powered aeroplane called flyer one.
Charles Lindbergh’s Transatlantic Flight – 1927
The historic transatlantic flight took 33.33 hours and was piloted by Charles Lindbergh. He flew from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St Louis, a single-engine aeroplane he designed. This flight made him an instant celebrity. He received multiple awards, including the Medal of Honour and the French Legion d’honneur for this feat.
Amelia Earhart’s Flight Across the Atlantic – 1932
Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She did so in a single-engine Lockheed Vega and took 15 hours, 56 minutes to cross one of the most treacherous stretches of ocean on Earth.
She flew from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, to Londonderry, Ireland, in an autogyro named “Friendship.” After this solo nonstop flight across the ocean, she became a household name and was the first to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.
First Hot Air Balloon Flight – 1783
In 1783, the first hot air balloon flight took place in Paris. That was by two men, Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier, who would later become a hero for being the first person to fly in an untethered balloon over Paris on June 15, 1785.
So, these are some of the best and inspiring aviation feats in history. Subscribe for more articles like these!