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Sometimes, a pilot's name is written in history through a lifetime of exceptional service. Other times, one's true character is shown by a single, life-changing, split second decision.
Piper has often been often called the 'Henry Ford of aviation,’ due to his ability to make aviation more accessible to the general public.
Air superiority depends heavily on the application of superior training and tactics. Jimmy Thach was a true pioneer of the development and application of effective aerial combat tactics.
Most pilots who have become famous over the years have been fighter pilots, test pilots or aviation pioneers. David Lord was different, in that he flew C-47 Dakota transport aircraft.
When thinking about interceptors, Britain’s English Electric Lightning, the Soviet MiG-25 and American Century Series fighters immediately come to mind, but what about the early jet-powered interceptors? What about pioneering subsonic aircraft which, although ground-breaking at the time, are often forgotten?
During the early 1930s, Wittman designed and built highly successful air racers. As a racing pilot, Wittman competed against the likes of James Doolittle, winning many races and building a successful racing career.
The mere mention of the name ‘Challenger’ conjures up images of an exploding Space Shuttle. However, there is so much more to the Challenger story than its widely publicized, tragic ending.
In an effort to preserve his life and the lives of his friends, Jeppesen began to draw airfield charts and made notes of flight routes in what he referred to as his ‘little black book’.
As a test pilot, Tony LeVier flew some of the most famous military aircraft in history.
During the early 1900s, he was known as ‘the man who owns the sky.’ A hundred years later, some refer to him as the ‘father of aerobatics.’ Lincoln Beachey was arguably the most famous pilot of whom you have never heard.
Kollsman invented the world’s first accurate barometric altimeter.
Think about it. Would it make sense that Italy, the country famous for producing the world’s best cars, could go through World War II without producing any quality fighter aircraft? Were there any World War II era fighters that could be described as Ferraris, Alfa Romeos or Lancias of the sky?
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