Aviation History Month

Mark your calendars because November is National Aviation History Month. All month long, organizations like Sky Combat Ace celebrate the achievements throughout aviation history and the countless pioneers who helped shape the world of flight. 

There’s always something to learn when it comes to the world of aviation. Read on to see how magical the history of aviation is. 

What is Aviation History Month?

Every November, the history of flight is celebrated through the recognition of our nation’s aviation history. Aviation History Month goes beyond recognizing the aviation of today. All month long, participants are encouraged to learn about the countless figures who have helped influence American aviation. 

This means reading about the pioneers of aviation, watching documentaries, and visiting local air shows and museums to experience the wonder of flight firsthand. 

History of Aviation Timeline: Memorable Moments

As you explore all things flight and learn about interesting Aviation History Month facts, it’s helpful to start where it all began. Step back in time and learn about the influential figures who have made today’s world of flight possible. Here’s a quick look at history and some of the world’s most influential aviation figures. 

A German Pilot and His Gliders

Modern aviation traces its roots to German pioneer Otto Lilienthal in the late 1860s. Lilienthal built and flew his innovative gliders near Berlin, Germany, and set the groundwork for other inventors to take his vision of air flight further. 

The Wright Brothers Take Flight in Kitty Hawk, NC

For many people, the Wright brothers are the first to come to mind when it comes to our nation's aviation history. These pioneers certainly helped propel the possibility of flight to new heights. 

The duo was the first to achieve motor-powered flight using a self-propelled biplane. The brothers made history again two years later, in 1905, when they successfully built and flew their first fully functional propelled airplane. 

Amelia Earhart and the Trip Across the Atlantic

Nearly three decades after the Wright brothers introduced the world to flight, Amelia Earhart showed the world the possibilities of aviation. In 1932, Earhart became the  first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Her solo trip earned her a number of accolades and awards, including the American Distinguished Flying Cross and the Cross of the French Legion of Honor.

In addition to helping advance aviation, Earhart empowered women across the globe to literally reach new heights. It was under her leadership that the organization Ninety-Nines was developed. Committed to helping empower female pilots, her organization encouraged women to venture into the field of aviation. 

Earhart’s bright future came to an abrupt end in 1937 when she took to the skies with her colleague Fred Noonan in an attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by flight. 

Earhart departed Oakland, California, from where she would travel 22,000 miles to Lae, New Guinea. On the final leg of her journey, just 7,000 miles away from Oakland, Earhart’s aircraft lost radio signal and was never seen again. Although she was legally declared dead on January 5, 1939, the mystery of Amelia Earhart remains alive to this day.

Modern Air Travel Is Born

In 1933, the Boeing 247 was introduced to the world and flew for the first time. As one of the earliest U.S. airliners, the Boeing 247 featured a robust design and advanced comfort and tech features. Boeing would go on to create a fleet of innovative aircraft that would serve businesses, governments, and private citizens alike. 

It was during this period in which the Golden Age of Flight prevailed. In the late 1920s, the first airlines, including Western Air Express, Ford Air Transport Service, and Pan American Airways, began to take over the skies. 

These innovative Airlines helped pave the way for the over 381 domestic airline operations within the U.S. today. With the help of the 1925 Air Mail Act, commercial airline competition rose, helping fuel the demand that quickly grew the air travel industry. 

Aviation and National Security

It didn't take long for governments worldwide to implement aviation in their defense strategy. By World War I, there was rapid advancement in the use of military aviation. During World War II, continued growth in aviation paved the way for a technologically advanced air force that was manned by highly trained military fighter pilots. 

Today, our nation's military remains the strongest, thanks to its highly trained air force pilots and a fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. 

Celebrate Aviation History Month In Your Community 

Communities across the nation recognized the advancements aviation has made over the century. To commemorate these advancements, many communities put on incredible air shows for all to enjoy. Some of the nation's most popular air shows include the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show in Rome, Georgia, and the Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

If you're not lucky enough to catch a live air show, there are plenty of ways to learn all about the world of aviation and how it helped influence the world we live in today. 

The San Diego Air and Space Museum is one such example. The museum has done a fantastic job encapsulating the history of a flight, allowing visitors to experience the wonder of aviation firsthand. Booking a visit to the museum is one of the best ways to celebrate national aviation history month.

Experience the Wonder of the Skies for Yourself

While it's certainly exhilarating to learn about the history of aviation and the many accomplishments that have happened along the way,  it's an entirely different thing to experience it for yourself. 

Celebrate Aviation History Month by becoming a fighter pilot for a day. Book your fighter pilot training sessions with SCA and learn to fly a plane yourself. 

During your flight training, you'll get to work with some of the industry's best pilots and learn all about the wonders of the sky. Check us out online or give us a call today to learn more. 

Until then, take a moment to look up at the sky and soak in all the possibilities of modern aviation. 

A Brief History of the FAA | Federal Aviation Administration, (2022).

AVIATION HISTORY MONTH -November 2022 - National Today. (2022).

Michals, D. (2015). Amelia Earhart | National Women's History Museum.

Ninety-Nines. (2022).

NAS Oceana Air Show. (2022).

San Diego Air & Space Museum. (2022).

The Road to the First Flight - Wright Brothers National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service). (2022).

Wings Over North Georgia. (2022).