Civilian Archives - Page 86 of 175

Weeks Revs Up for Re-Enactment Flight

Kermit Weeks’ goal has been to create an authentic version of the Benoist airboat flown by legendary pilot Tony Jannus in his historic New Year’s Day hop across Tampa Bay almost a century ago. For Weeks, founder of the Fantasy of Flight attraction in Polk County, where vintage and rare aircraft attract thousands of visitors, […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1892 – Birth of William Dolley Tipton, American World War I flying ace and founder of the Maryland Air National Guard; he would also serve in World War II. 1924 – Frenchman Florentin Bonnet, in the Bernard SIMB V.2, sets a world speed record of 279 mph. 1958 – Death of Charles Godefroy, French aviator […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1891 – Birth of Friedrich-Wilhelm “Fritz” Morzik, German World War I pilot and high-ranking officer in the Luftwaffe during World War II. 1933 – Charles Kingsford Smith in a Percival Gull IV lands in Darwin, Australia, after flying from Lympne Aerodrome in England; the trip sets a record for solo flight between the two countries […]

Cathay Pacific Unveils Latest ‘Spirit’

Cathay Pacific Airways unveiled the third edition of the airline’s “Spirit of Hong Kong” livery at a special ceremony held Monday at Hong Kong International Airport. The new livery marks the climax of the recent “The Spirit of Hong Kong” campaign run by the airline. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar officiated at the livery […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1896 – Birth of Edward Duncan Crundall, British World War I flying ace, World War II pilot; he also would become a commercial pilot and author. 1909 – First powered airplane flight over Australia is made by British racing driver and pilot Colin Defries with a Wright Model A. 1936 – Death of Juan de […]

Ex-Army Pilot to Get Master Pilot Award

In 1954, 10-year-old George Galo took his first ride in an airplane. His father had been stationed in the Panama Canal Zone with the U.S. Navy for two years, and on their way back to Norfolk, Va., they flew in a Lockheed Constellation. The pilot took notice of George sitting with his mother and invited […]

Pearl Harbor Warhawk Returning to U.S.

An American fighter that’s one of the few remaining still-airworthy planes to survive the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is being donated to an organization that flies World War II aircraft at living-history events across the United States. Robert Collings, executive director of the Stow, Mass.-based Collings Foundation, said that the purchase of the Curtiss […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1921 – Birth of George Frederick “Buzz” “Screwball” Beurling (shown), Canada’s most successful World War II fighter pilot; he will shoot down 27 Axis aircraft in just 14 days over Malta and will eventually account for more than 30 kills. 1928 – North American Aviation Inc. is founded; it later produces the P-51 Mustang, the B-25 Mitchell […]

Pilot Finds Third Time Isn’t Charm

A pilot attempting to land a Boeing 777 airplane in Birmingham, England, on Thursday was forced to abort because of extremely high winds. The Emirates jet was trying to land at Birmingham Airport from Dubai. The video below shows the pilot’s first missed approach. He also missed the second and then diverted to London Gatwick. For the […]

Wildcat Delivered to San Diego Museum

One of the stars of the Battle of the Midway now has a home at that USS Midway Museum. A rare Grumman F4F Wildcat arrived at the downtown San Diego museum after several years spent in restoration at the hands of Midway volunteers. U.S. Navy pilots flying the Wildcat were pivotal in the June 1942 battle […]