George C. Larson

George C. Larson served as editor of Air & Space from 1985 to 2005. He is currently an inactive pilot, but holds a commercial pilot's license, with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He is between airplanes at this time, but has owned or operated a Grumman American AA-5B Tiger and a Mooney 201. He has been writing about aviation since 1972, when he joined the staff of Flying Magazine.

The Boeing behemoth on its first flight (with Lockheed T-33 chase plane), last February.

Moments and Milestones: Max Takeoff

Moments and Milestones: Max Takeoff

Thousands watched the China Clipper as it set off on the first trans-Pacific airmail flight on November 22, 1935.

Moments and Milestones: Birth of the Clippers

Moments and Milestones: Birth of the Clippers

The "Texaco 13," the most famous Mystery Ship, set more than 200 speed records in the early 1930s.

Moments and Milestones: Travel Air’s Mystery Ship

Moments and Milestones: Travel Air’s Mystery Ship

Right of Passage: In contrast to the early days of commercial airline travel, today, airport security officers screen passengers and their carry-on baggage in an effort to prevent attacks.

Moments and Milestones: Perfecting the People Filter

Moments and Milestones: Perfecting the People Filter

Sometimes training was a hair-raising proposition, as this May 23, 1910 letter from Brookins to Orville Wright

Moments and Milestones: Mile-High Man

Moments and Milestones: Mile-High Man

The turbojet engine grew so reliable that passengers can now fly direct routes across the globe.

Moments-Milestones Old Faithful

Moments-Milestones Old Faithful

Hello HAL: Pilots needed a computer to fly Grumman’s X-29.

Moments and Milestones: Swept Forward

Moments and Milestones: Swept Forward

With highly trained engineers coming to the United States from abroad, chances are good that we’ll see more naturalized citizens in line for the Wright Trophy.

Moments and Milestones: The American Way

Moments and Milestones: The American Way

Max Conrad poses after his 1952 transatlantic flight.

Moments and Milestones: Delivery Man

Moments and Milestones: Delivery Man

John Glenn’s transcontinental F8U flight led to his selection as an astronaut.

John Glenn's Project Bullet

John Glenn's Project Bullet

In addition to guarding the National Air and Space Museum’s treasured trophies, Alex Spencer is responsible for the British military aircraft holdings, and the 13,000 artifacts that make up the flight matériel collection.

In the Museum: The Bodyguard

In the Museum: The Bodyguard

Operation Vittles was a military miracle: The Allies delivered 2.3 million tons of supplies to Berlin.

Moments and Milestones: The Hungry City

Moments and Milestones: The Hungry City

This Cozy made it across the country on fermented-plant fuel.

Moments and Milestones: Nobody’s Fuel...Yet

Moments and Milestones: Nobody’s Fuel...Yet

As Nemesis rocketed past 400 mph, pilot Jon Sharp entered territory held by aircraft in the Unlimited and Jet classes.

Moments and Milestones: Giddyup 409

Giddyup 409

Fifty years ago, an aircraft hangar at Ohio's Lewis Research Center (now Glenn) changed markings, from NACA to NASA. But aeronautical research continues at NASA centers to this day.

Moments and Milestones: The First “A” in NASA

Moments and Milestones: The First “A” in NASA

The X-7 mounted on its B-29 carrier.

Moments and Milestones: Hits and Missiles

Produced in cooperation with the National Aeronautic Association

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Moments and Milestones: A Farewell to Radar

Produced in cooperation with the National Aeronautic Association

The last U.S. F-4s were retired in 1996 (a U.S. Air Force RF-4C during the Vietnam War); about 800 still fly worldwide.

Moments and Milestones: The Phantom at 50

Producted in Cooperation with the National Aeronautic Association

The Snow Bird's record flight showed the capabilities of airships - but the Navy's lighter-than-air program was doomed.

Moments and Milestones: The Unknown Aeronaut

Moments and Milestones: The Unknown Aeronaut

Air racers enter the "track" in close formation, but crossing the finish line, there's always a Number One...and Number Two.

The Physics of Winning

What Reno air race winners know that losers don't.

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