A Brief Aviation History

A Brief Aviation History October 15, 1783-First hot air balloon constructed by Joseph & Jacques Montgolfier and flown by Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier. October 22, 1797-First manned parachute jump. March 23, 1840-First photograph is taken of the moon. September 24, 1852-First airship is powered by a steam engine. 1865-Jules Verne publishes a novel, "From the Earth to the Moon". December 17, 1903-First powered, manned flight when Wright Flyer flew 121 feet in 12 seconds. October 4, 1905-Wright brothers flew 24 miles in 38 minutes and 3 seconds. …

…SR-71 Blackbird, Marta Bohn-Meyer. April 28, 1992-U.S. Secretary of Defense announces that women are permitted to enter combat. May 1, 1992-First woman to be qualified in an F-16 fighter, Captain Jackie Parker. April 27, 1995-Global Positioning System (GPS) becomes fully operational. Used extensively as navigation aid in all traveling, from foot to air. March 20, 1999-End of non-stop round the world balloon flight by Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard in the Breitling Orbiter 3 in 19 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes.