Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
February 9, 1954 A dock landing ship built for the U.S. Navy was launched along the coast of Pascagoula, Mississippi. (A dock landing ship is an amphibious vessel that serves as both a means of transport and a launchpad for helicopters as well as seagoing watercraft such as boats and barges.) This new military vessel... Continue Reading →
February 2, 1917 Mary Ellis, who would achieve renown for her achievements as a pilot during World War II, was born at Langley Farm in South East England’s village and civil parish of Leafield. As someone who grew up near a couple of Royal Air Force (RAF) bases, she developed a strong interest in aviation... Continue Reading →
January 11, 1938 The first aircraft landing at eastern Canada's recently completed Newfoundland Airport (present-day Gander International Airport) took place when pilot Douglas C. Fraser (1903-1990) flew a single-engine Fox Moth VO-ADE biplane owned by Imperial Airways down onto a runway there. “I can remember it quite well,” Fraser later recalled about that clear winter day. He... Continue Reading →
December 18, 1939 In southeastern Brazil, an airport serving the city serving the city of Montes Claros was officially opened. This airport is specifically located four miles (seven kilometers) northeast of the downtown section of the city. The first airline to operate at the Monte Claros Airport was Panair do Brasil, which existed from 1930... Continue Reading →
In 1980, Linda Garcia Cubero became a member of the first class of women to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). She made history as well as the first woman of Hispanic descent to graduate from any of the service academies. In a 2009 interview with Latina Style magazine, Linda discussed her own... Continue Reading →
October 9, 1890 French inventor and engineer Clément Ader made aviation history when he attempted to fly a steam-powered aircraft that he had built. This aircraft was named the Éole in honor of Aeolus, the ancient Greek god of the winds, and it featured wings resembling those of a bat. Ader tested his flying machine just... Continue Reading →
October 4, 2008 In India’s western peninsular region, an upgraded version of a domestic airport serving the city of Nanded in the state of Maharashtra was formally inaugurated. This airport is named after Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), who was born in present-day Patna City in the state of Bihar in eastern India. He succeeded his... Continue Reading →
September 21, 1969 In the southeast corner of Minnesota, a public use airport in Houston County was officially dedicated. Houston County Airport is located three miles (five kilometers) south of the central business district of the city of Caledonia, which serves as that county’s seat. The public officials attending the dedication ceremony for the airport... Continue Reading →
As a soldier in the Massachusetts National Guard (the Bay State’s component of the U.S. Army National Guard), Marisol A. Chalas achieved an aviation milestone by becoming the first Latina in the entire National Guard to pilot a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (That longtime four-blade, twin-engine utility helicopter is manufactured for the Army by the... Continue Reading →
August 29, 1931 New Haven Municipal Airport in south-central Connecticut was formally opened to great fanfare. This public airport is three miles (4.8 kilometers) southeast east of the downtown section of the city of New Haven. Groundbreaking ceremonies for this airport had taken place on November 11, 1929. The Hartford Courant featured a front-page article... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 