In the early 1930s, the United States was experiencing a surge in commercial aviation. As air travel became more accessible, the need for efficient mail delivery by air grew. During this time, Congress passed the McNary-Watres Act, a law granting Postmaster General Walter Fogel Brown significant authority to award airmail contracts. At a meeting dubbed the “Spoils Conference,” Brown chose to…
Tag: plane
Did you know: The downfall of low-cost carriers
Over the past few decades, low-cost carriers (LCCs) have revolutionized the airline industry, democratizing air travel and enabling millions of passengers to fly at affordable prices. However, recent trends indicate a troubling downturn for these budget airlines, raising questions about the sustainability of their business model. Low-cost carriers emerged in the 1970s, with Southwest Airlines in…
Breaking the Sound Barrier: A Leap in Aviation History
The sound barrier is one of the oldest aviation challenges referring to the speed at which an aircraft converts from subsonic to supersonic- at 767 mph (1,235 km/h) on sea level. This is considered an impossible and risky aim, as it is quite probable for the airframe structure to collapse and to lose control. Before…
Can I see your homework? I promise to use it only for ideas
During WWII, the United States helped USSR with military equipment such as Jeeps, tanks and 14000 airplanes through the Land Lease program and some of these aircraft were: Bell P-39 Aircobras, Bell P-63 Kingcobras, Curtiss P-40, Douglas A-20 Havocs and North American B-25s but the soviets wanted long-range bombers also. This request was declined by…
Most Haunted Airports
Attention, fellow adventurers! Buckle up for a detour into the chilling world of haunted airports. While we’re all about the thrill of flight, some terminals boast a different kind of turbulence – paranormal activity! Get ready for spooky tales that will send shivers down your spine (and maybe make you reconsider your next layover). So,…
B-17 Flying Fortress
With all the hype around the new series ‘Masters of the air’ centered around the 100th Bomb Group, let’s take a closer look to the airplane used by them, the unforgettable B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-17 Flying Fortress is more than just a World War II aircraft: it’s a symbol of American resilience and innovation….
Dragon in the sky: China’s COMAC C919
Nowadays, the two main aircraft manufacturers are based in US (Boeing) and EU (Airbus). However, we might soon see a new silhouette in the sky. In recent years, China has emerged as a formidable player in the global aviation industry, with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) making significant strides in aircraft development. One…
Birds of the sea
In today’s article, let’s dive into another chapter of aeronautical history: the planes of the sea. During the last century, we went from conversions of ships that were initially cargo ships, cruisers, or even battleships into aircraft carriers to ships specially designed to carry aircraft, powered by nuclear power. These ships allow naval forces to…
American battle horse – P-51 Mustang
The P-51 Mustang stands as an iconic symbol of American aviation history, renowned for its exceptional performance during World War II. With its distinctive appearance and remarkable combat capabilities, the Mustang became a beloved aircraft among both pilots and aviation enthusiasts. Its first flight was in the 1940s and it primarily fought in Europe but…
The underdog in the East, IAR 80
The IAR 80 was a Romanian fighter/ground attack aircraft developed during the Second World War. The aircraft had a low-wing monoplane, all-metal monocoque that was comparable to other contemporary designs such as Hawker Hurricane and Bf 109E. Its first flight took place in 1939 but it went into service in 1941 due to production problems…