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Learjet aka Private Business Jet History

On this date (April 10) in aviation history, Gates Rubber Company obtained a controlling interest in Lear Jet Industries. Two years later, Lear Jet and Gates Aviation would merge to create Gates Learjet Corporation, which would go on to become one of the leading manufacturers of business jets used for private charter flights. Lear Jet […]

American Single Seat Takes First Flight in 1945

On this day in aviation history, first flight took place for the following: 1945 – Consolidated Vultee XP-81 (single seat, long range escort) 1956 – Antonov An-8 (Soviet-designed twin-turboprop-engine high wing light military transport aircraft) 1949 – CASA C-201 Alocotán The first flight for this American single seat, long range escort fighter prototype aircraft […]

Private Flight to Paris, France – 1st Ever

Private Flight Across the Atlantic – Today in Aviation History “The Lone Eagle” (or “Lucky Lindy”), Charles Augustus Lindbergh was born in 1902 (d. 1974). He is famous for the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic. In 1927, he flew in the “Spirit of St. Louis” from New York, New York to Paris, France. […]

First Flights Today in Aviation History

Today in Aviation History: January 14 was a popular day for “first flights”. Five are listed here: Piper PA-28 Cherokee – 1960 (American four seat sporting/training monoplane) Convair F2Y Sea Dart – 1953 SIPA S.200 Minijet – 1952 (French 2 seat light sporting jet aircraft) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 – 1950 De Havilland Express – 1934 Also, […]