Aviation History

The Provider

Heros come in all sizes, and in the military many heros come forth at just the right time with the right skills and the desire to serve.This story is about one such hero - Lt. Col. Joe M. Jackson/s...

"Puff, the Magic Dragon"

As a pilot it is easy to become attached to a particular type of aircraft that you just love to fly. I turned down my opportunity for flying for the airlines (too regimented for me) but did fly for...

Operation Firewall

On December 12, 1957, USAF Major Adrian E. Drew set a new  Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) absolute speed record over the 15/25 kilometer course at Edwards Air Force Base, California. ...

William "Billy" Mitchell, Father of the U.S. Air Force

William "Billy" Mitchell is considered the Father of the Air Force because of his early work promoting aviation to be used in the military. However, his career ended in disgrace because of his cont...

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...

Hero of the Soviet Union

Andrey Borisovich Yumashev, pilot and military veteran, set a number of aviation records in the mid-1930s and thrusting the USSR into the limelight of aviation feats. His reward: He was made a Hero...

Ruth Rowland Nichols American Aviation Pioneer

Ruth Rowland Nichols, aviatrix extraordinaire, set a number of world records in the eary 1900s which remain to this day. Discover the fascinating life of this lovely aviatrix.

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...

The Hunter Brothers

The conclusion to the saga of the Hunter Brothers continues through the end of their aviation careers and accomplishments.

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.