The History of Aviation

  • The first hot air balloon flight

    The first hot air balloon flight takes place in France, carrying passengers for the first time.
  • First Powered Airplane Flight

    The Wright brothers successfully fly the first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
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    Airplanes Used in WWI

    Airplanes are used for the first time in war during World War I, leading to the development of military aviation.
  • First Solo Non-Stop Flight

    Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
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    Era of Commercial Air Travel Begins

    The era of commercial air travel begins with the development of passenger airlines and the introduction of larger, more advanced aircraft.
  • First Pilot to Break Sound Barrier

    Chuck Yeager becomes the first pilot to break the sound barrier in the experimental Bell X-1 aircraft.
  • First Artificial Satellite Launch

    The Soviet Union launches the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, marking the beginning of the space age.
  • First Person Lands on the Moon

    Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
  • First Supersonic Passenger Jet takes flight

    The first Concorde supersonic passenger jet enters service, cutting travel time between Europe and North America by half.
  • Largest passenger airliner ever built takes flight

    The Airbus A380, the largest passenger airliner ever built, makes its first flight.
  • Commercial Space Travel Begins

    Commercial space travel begins with the first successful passenger flight of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.