Richard Pearse

The first person to fly a powered, heavier-than-air machine was Richard Pearse (New Zealand) on 31 March 1903 in Waitohi, New Zealand. He flew about 300 metres. Between March and July of that year, Pearse made various flight attempts and flew distances of up to about 900 metres. During all his flight attempts, he was unable to control his aircraft adequately and generally crash-landed, but he did manage to turn left and right in the air .

The Wright Brothers

The first person to make a sustained, controlled powered flight of a heavier-than-air craft was Wilbur Wright (USA) in The Flyer, which he and his brother Orville had designed and built.

Richard Pearse
Public Domain

Unlike Pearse, the Wright Brothers were able to land their craft in a controlled manner, and so achieved the first successful heavier-than-air flight.

The Wright Brothers' first flight lasted 12 seconds and covered a distance of 36 metres. It took place on 17 December 1903 in Kitty Hawk, Carolina, USA. On the same day each brother took turns to fly the machine, and eventually managed a distance of almost 300 metres.

Even More Fast Facts About Aviation History

Across The English Channel

The first heavier-than-air flight across a large body of water was made by Louis Bleriot (France) in 1909 when he flew across the English Channel.

Across The Atlantic

The first nonstop transatlantic flight was completed by Charles Lindbergh (USA) on May 20-21, 1927, flying from New York to Paris. For this feat he won the Orteig Price.

The first nonstop transatlantic flight made by a woman was achieved by Amelia Earhart (USA) on 17 June 1932 in an aircraft piloted by Wilmer Stultz. They flew from Newfoundland, Canada, to Burry Port, Wales.

Charles Lindbergh
Public Domain

Around The World

First solo circumnavigation of globe by aeroplane: Wiley Post (USA) completed the journey on July 22 1933, having taken 7 days, 19 hours. Post, with navigator Harold Getty, had previously set the record in 1931 for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe.

First nonstop circumnavigation of globe by aeroplane: crew of US B-50 Superfortress Lucky Lady II (USA). The 37 743km flight took 94 hours and 1 minute to complete and involved 4 airborne refuellings.

First solo circumnavigation of the globe by aeroplane without refuelling: Steve Fossett (USA), on 3 March 2005 in 67 hours, aboard the single-engined Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer. In 2006, Fossett again flew the jet and broke the record for the longest distance aircraft flight, setting the new record at 41 467km.

Faster Than Sound

The first supersonic flight was undertaken by Charles Yeager (USA), on 14 October 1947 in the X-1 jet at Mach 1. He completed this task while suffering pain after breaking his ribs two nights earlier.

Space Glider

First spacecraft capable of gliding: Space Shuttle (USA), first launched in 1981.

You might also like to visit: Space History at dijino.info

“The Wright brothers flew right through the smoke screen of impossibility.” Charles F. Kettering

“Nowhere can a person find greater solitude than alone in flight” William Langewiesche

“If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.” Charles Lindbergh

“When you see a hot-air balloon going by, you immediately turn and look in awe. No matter what you're doing, you just want to look at them. Balloons have always been a great attraction.” Frank Ferraro

“The century of aeroplanes deserves its own music. As there are no precedents, I must create anew.” Claude Debussy

“There are only two reasons to sit in the back row of an airplane; either you have diarrhea, or you're anxious to meet people who do.” Henry Kissenger

“You define a good flight by negatives: you didn't get hijacked, you didn't crash, you didn't throw up, you weren't late, you weren't nauseated by the food. So you are grateful.” Paul Theroux

“If forced to travel on an airplane, try and get in the cabin with the Captain, so you can keep an eye on him and nudge him if he falls asleep or point out any mountains looming up ahead.” Mike Harding

“Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.” Marshal Ferdinand Foch