American Aviation Historical Society

1929

The Colonial Flying Service and Scully Walton Ambulance Company organize the United State’s first civilian air ambulance service.

1936

Pan American World Airways initiates the first transpacific airline service for paying passengers with six-day-a-week passenger service between San Francisco, California, and Manila in the Philippine Islands via Honolulu, Hawaii.

1947

The Northrop YB-49, jet powered version of the Flying Wing makes its first successful flight - from Hawthorne, CA to Muroc Army Air Base. The giant bomber, powered by eight 4000 lb thrust J-35 turbojet engines makes the flight in 44 min. Northrop chief test pilot Max Stanley is at the controls with Fred Bretcher, co-pilot, and Orvil Douglas, test engineer as the rest of the crew.

1970

X-24A aerospace vehicle made its first supersonic flight