Aviation Eras
Periods of innovation in the history of aviation from early flight to the modern age
Tennis, Anyone?
When she wasn't playing tennis on the wing of a biplane in flight, Gladys Roy was dancing the Charleston.
January 29, 2013 |
By Rebecca Maksel
The First Presidential Flight
Nowadays the U.S. President has his own airplane. But for Franklin Roosevelt in 1943, flying was still a big deal.
January 18, 2013 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Rotary Rescue
The Sikorsky HO5S-1 made its name flying medevac missions in Korea.
January 2013 |
By Rebecca Maksel
The Ordeal of VF-653
From a Navy Reserve pilot’s letters home, a picture of the darkest days of the Korean War
January 2013 |
By David Sears
Chapeau by Blériot
In the winter of 1909, chic Parisians sported Blériot, Antoinette, and Voisin biplanes on their heads.
December 27, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Spy Pigeons
Unlikely soldiers during World War II: More than 250,000 pigeons deployed by the British.
December 18, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Pippo: A World War II Mystery
Why does the solitary night fighter call out for a nickname?
November 29, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Our Favorite Children’s Books of 2012
The year's best aviation- and space-themed books for young readers.
November 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Beavers On Parachutes
In 1948, Idaho decided the best way to move beavers was to airdrop them.
November 26, 2012 |
By Heather Goss
Crocodiles on a Plane
Sometimes passengers and crew are downright inhuman.
November 21, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
The Air Force Survival Guide (Don’t Leave Home Without it)
Find yourself in a hostile environment? The Air Force knows what to do.
November 19, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
The Versatile Beech 18
From sculptural beauty to functional transport, the Model 18 is an airplane of many guises.
November 16, 2012 |
By Diane Tedeschi and Caroline Sheen
Asleep at the Wheel
Driving a drone is (apparently) nothing like playing World of Warcraft.
November 15, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Where is the Wright Brothers’ Patent?
It appears to have, uh, gone missing.
November 08, 2012 |
By Pat Trenner
The Flying Emergency Room
One reason more soldiers are making it home alive.
November 2012 |
By Michael Klesius
Home Sweet Duralumin
A Buckminster Fuller design was grounded in aerospace technology.
November 2012 |
By Nick D’Alto
Fly-Powered Planes and Other Oddities
Oddball items at the National Air and Space Museum.
October 31, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Pilots, Look Down
To find their way home, aviators used to be able to read the rooftops.
October 19, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Crash Test TV
Destroying a 727 in the name of science, and entertainment.
October 05, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
