On this Day in Aviation History – April 6

On this Day in Aviation History – April 6

It is amazing to look back and see all the amazing accomplishments made throughout the years in aviation. The feats and personalities involved have changed the world for ever and we all benefit from those that came before.

 

1890 (Java) — Anthony Herman Gerald Fokker, Dutch pioneer airman and aircraft manufacturer, is born in Kediri, Java.

fokker

His Fokker D.VIII was one of the finest all-around fighters of the WWI. He became a naturalized United States citizen and his Fokker T-2 made the first non-stop flight across the United States In 1926, the North Pole was over flown in a Fokker tri-motor airplane.

 

1909 (France) — The first machine wholly designed by Anglo-French air pioneer Henry Farman takes to the air at Bouy, France.

HF1

Called either the “Henry Farman III” or, because it represents a new departure, the “HF1” the biplane is the first aircraft to incorporate practical ailerons attached to the trailing edges of the wings.

 

1924 (USA) — The first successful flight around the world starts as four Douglas World Cruisers leave from Seattle, Washington.

Douglas World crusiers

Of the four, only two complete the circumnavigation as they each fly 27,553 miles (44,340 km) in 175 days, and return to Seattle on September 28. The actual flying time is 371 hours, 11 minutes, and the successful pilots are Lt. Lowell H. Smith and Lt. Erik Nelson.

 

1949 (USA) — A Sikorsky S-51 completes a world record helicopter flight of 3,750 miles.

sik_s-51

It flew from Elizabeth, New Jersey to Port Angeles, Washington.

 

1967 (USA) — Trans World Airlines (TWA) becomes the first American airline to have a fleet composed entirely of jet aircraft.

TWA Convair 880

The first jets used were the 4-engine Convair 880 jetliners.

Updated: May 1, 2018 — 2:15 PM
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