THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On September 21, 1964, the Air Force XB-70A supersonic aircraft made its first flight.

Subsequent flights of this steel-bodied airplane, which had been conceived as a bomber but recast as a research aircraft, provided the FAA-managed U.S. supersonic transport development program with useful technical data.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerritySeptember 21, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On September 16, 1910, Dr. Bessica Curtis Medlar Raiche made what is considered the first intentional solo flight by a woman in the U.S.

Before Earhart, There Was Aviation Trailblazer Bessica Raiche

Years before Earhart took flight, Raiche took to the skies in a solo flight, making her the first American female aviator. And that's not her only aviation accomplishment. She and her husband built that plane from scratch. And years after the whole flying thing wasn't working for her anymore, Raiche went on to become one of the country's first female doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerritySeptember 16, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On September 14, 1939, Igor Sikorsky made the first tethered flight of the Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 prototype helicopter in Connecticut.

14 September 1939: At Stratford, Connecticut, Igor Sikorsky made the first tethered flight of the Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 prototype helicopter. The duration of the flight was just 10 seconds but demonstrated that the helicopter could be controlled.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerritySeptember 14, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: In 1908 Orville Wright makes first public flight

September 3, 1908: Orville Wright made his first public flight at Fort Meyer, VA. In the weeks to follow, he would carry passengers in several flights, meeting the criteria established by the US Army for purchase of an airplane.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerritySeptember 3, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On July 26, 1937, 27-year-old aviatrix Jacqueline Cochrane claimed a non-stop speed record for female pilots flying between LA and Oakland.

On July 26, 1937, 27-year-old aviatrix Jacqueline Cochrane claimed a non-stop speed record for female pilots flying between Los Angeles and Oakland, averaging 203.89 miles per hour over her 3 hour flight.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerrityJuly 26, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On July 19, 1985, Christa McAuliffe became the first American civilian selected to travel into space.

On July 19, 1985, Christa McAuliffe became the first American civilian selected to travel into space.

AFA GerrityJuly 19, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On July 14, 1911, Harry Atwood lands Wright Model B plane on White House South Lawn

Three months after learning to fly at the Wright Flying School, Harry Nelson Atwood completed the final leg of his journey from Boston to Washington, D.C. by landing his Wright Model B airplane on White House South Lawn. He traveled 576 miles over 14 days. President William Howard Taft was watching from the south portico and later presented Atwood with a gold medal from the Aero Club of Washington.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerrityJuly 14, 2021

THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: In 1914, U.S. government issues patent for multistage rocket design to Dr. Goddard.

The U.S. government issued a patent to Dr. Robert H. Goddard for a multistage rocket design. Seven days later, Goddard received another patent for a liquid-fueled rocket design. These designs laid the foundation for future space flights.

Airpower HistoryAFA GerrityJuly 7, 2021