Wright brothers

The first aircraft mechanic

By Richard Scarbrough

This story originally appeared on flyingmag.com.

The Wright brothers flew into history on Dec. 17, 1903, achieving the once-unheard-of feat of powered flight. Although debated, the accomplishment is globally accepted as the first flight of its kind. While the Wrights earned a place in the spotlight as daring aviators, one key figure is often overlooked: mechanician Charles Taylor.

An introduction

There is a fantastic book, “Charles E. Taylor: 1868-1956 The Wright Brothers...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-first-aircraft-mechanic

A history of the first flights

FreightWaves Classics is sponsored by Sutton Transport, an LTL leader in the Midwest for more than 40 years. Sutton Transport proudly services Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. Request a quote here.

This story originally appeared at Flyingmag.com.

By Julie Boatman

When you know you’re going to mangle an airplane over and over in your attempt to fly it, you choose soft sand — or forgiving prairie grass.

This was certainly true of Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 as the brothers...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/a-history-of-the-first-flights

FreightWaves Classics: Aerodrome No. 5 made history in 1896

The first failure of a manned aerodrome in 1903. (Photo: public domain)

An aviation milestone took place on this date in 1896. Near Quantico, Virginia (now the home of the FBI’s Training Academy), Aerodrome No. 5 completed the “first successful flights of an unpiloted, tandem-winged, engine-powered, heavier-than-air model of substantial size.” (“Aerodrome” is a derivative of a Greek phrase that roughly means “air runner.”)

The inventor of Aerodrome No. 5 was Samuel Langley. Using a catapult mounted on the top of a houseboat, Langley launched it twice. The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classics-aerodrome-no-5-made-history-in-1896

FreightWaves Classics/Pioneers: Women made their marks on aviation history (Part 1 – 1880-1920)

Blanche Stuart Scott at the controls of an airplane. (Photo: Public Domain/Smithsonian Institution)

International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women, began on March 8, 1911. Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in March in the United States since 1987.

To help celebrate Women’s History Month, FreightWaves Classics will continue to profile a number of women who made contributions to transportation during the month of March.

Women have made history...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicspioneers-women-made-their-marks-on-aviation-history-part-1-1880-1920

FreightWaves Classics: Aviation begins; air cargo follows quickly (Part 1)

A Ford 5-AT sits on an airfield runway with its cargo door open, taking mail from a waiting mail truck. The large plane had three motors and a single wing across its top. National Postal Museum

Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their airplane for the first time on December 17, 1903. Since then air travel has revolutionized the world in countless ways. When airplanes first took to the skies, the mere idea of an airplane (or aeroplanes as they were known then) was astounding. Man had wanted to fly for thousands of years, but now it was a reality. But less than 118 years ago, the concept seemed unbelievable. Now, airplanes enable quick travel for millions daily around the globe; and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classics-aviation-begins-air-cargo-follows-quickly-part-1

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