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Long before astronauts traveled to outer space, aviation pioneers conquered the air around them and learned how to fly. These early aviators taught us the basics of much of what we know today. But these people weren't just innovative. They also had some fun along the way!
Some of the most fascinating accomplishments in aviation history have not been repeated or surpassed. Others are feats that, when you consider what the technology was like, are simply amazing.
Think you know something about aviation history? Here are some of the most famous, amazing, and interesting aviation records.
The Wright brothers achieved the first controlled and sustained power-driven flight. On December 17, 1903 near Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, Orville Wright flew his 12-hp, chain-driven Flyer 1 for about 120 ft. at 30 mph, approximately 8 - 12 feet off the ground. Wright's flight began at 10:35 AM and lasted just 20 seconds. Only six people were lucky enough to witness this historic flight, including Wilber - the other half of the famous Wright brothers.
The first jet-engine flight occurred on August 27, 1939 in Marienehe Germany. The plane, a Heinkel He 178, was piloted by Flug Kapitan Erich Warsitz.
The first transatlantic solo flight was made by Charles Lindbergh, who flew from Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York to Le Bourget Airfield in Paris, France in a 220-hp Ryan monoplane called the Spirit of St. Louis.
The fastest trip around the world was made in 36 hours, 8 minutes, and 34 seconds. The Gulfstream IV airplane departed Houston, Texas and flew over Lake Charles, Ireland, Dubai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Honolulu, and Miami.
The longest airplane wingspan was 319 ft., 19 in. The "Spruce Goose" was a Hughes H-4 Hercules flying boat that cost $40 million (USD). The plane flew only once, and was piloted by Howard Hughes for a test run of 3000 ft.
The heaviest plane weighs 660 tons. Designed by Antonov, the Russian-built An-225 Myria is a strategic airlift transport aircraft.
The largest passenger load was lifted by an EI AI-747 airline during "Operation Solomon." The aircraft carried 1087 Ethiopian Jews from Falasha to Israel in 1991.
The fastest airliner is the supersonic BAC/Aerospatiale Concorde, which first flew in 1969. The plane has a cruising speed of 1450 mph (Mach 2.2). In April of 1990, the Concorde flew from New York to London in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 15 seconds.
The first supersonic flight occurred on October 14, 1947 when Chuck Yeager flew a XS-1 rocket plane at Mach 1.015 approximately 670 mph, at an altitude of 4000 ft. over Edwards Air Force base in California.
The longest-duration flight lasted 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, and 5 seconds. Robert Timm and John Cook departed McCarran Airfield in Las Vegas, Nevada in a Cessna 172. They traveled a distance equivalent to six times around the world.
There are hundreds of other aviation records achieved by ambitious pilots. Even today, flier's continue to push the envelope to see what they can accomplish. Although some pilots have lost their lives in the process, many more have succeeded in reaching their goals. Their efforts have made aviation what it is today, and have also paved the way for many aerospace adventures. We owe what we know to those brave souls who came before us.
Is there another aviation record that we should highlight? If so, let us know.
CR4 Aerospace Blog
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