Aviation History

Eric "Winkle" Brown, Test Pilot Extraordinaire

Read the story of Eric "Winkle" Brown, Test Pilot Extraordinaire, also known as a pilot who was simply "the right stuff." Winkle is best known for being the first pilot to takeoff and land a jet ai...

The Start of the Age of Aerial Combat

On the 5th of October, 1914, the first air to air dog fight occurred between a French Voisin III aircraft and a German Aviatik B.II aircraft. The air battle took place over France during World War...

The Death Dodger Pilot

This is the story of The Death Dodger Pilot, A. Scott Crossfield Jr. He became the first man to fly an airplane at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2), and had an illustrious career in aviation as bo...

The "Ace of Aces"

During World War II the air war was necessary to win to protect the troops on the ground. Of the many pilots swho became Aces (pilot with 5 or more aerial combat victories) arose a phenomenal pilot...

Twenty-Three Days In The Air

In 1930 four brothers worked together to set a world endurance record for flying an airplane non-stop for 553 hours, 41 minutes and 30 seconds in a 1927 Stinson SM-1 "Detroiter" aircraft.

Major Louis Joseph Sebille, USAF

Exceptional heroism in war time sometimes results in a Medal of Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Read this fascinating story of one such brave military pilot in the Korean War.

"Boy, That Was A Ride"

Robert M. White enjoyed an exceptional career in the USAF, achieving many goals including setting the World Record for altitude in a manned aircraft. He fought in three wars, was an exceptional pil...

Helicopters Over Vietnam

On Novmber 9, 1967, a rescue helicopter crew heard a call for help while on their way back to base. Tired, weary, and heading home, the crew decided it was more important to help their fellow soldi...

Byron Q. Jones Aviator and Inventor

Byron Quinby Jones was a major contributer to the begginings of the U.S. Air Force starting back in 1913. Among his many accomplishments were to be the first military pilot to stall an aircraft and...

The Freeman Field Mutiny

In 1945 a group of 101 African-American Officers challenged the "Separate But Equal" view of their base commander, resulting in the The Freeman Field Mutiny.

The Wild Weasel III

The F-105G Wild Weasels provide highly effective in suppressing SAM and AAA sites in North Vietnam, but not without a cost. The Wild Weasel crews were under constant danger from SAM missles and Fla...

The Hegenberger System

A young aeronautical engineering US Army Air Corps pilot devised an ingenious system to guide aircraft down through inlement weather to a safe landing. His system was called the "Hegenberger System...