Flight

April 11, 1957

The Ryan X-13 Vertijet makes its first vertical take off and landing, marking the first time a jet-powered aircraft successfully completed a VTOL flight. Militaries around the world at the time were experimenting with the concept of VTOL as a way of having aircraft that could take off and land from areas with no runway. While the X-13 was tested successfully, the program was cancelled after only two years. The X-13 concept proved unfeasible for the United States military due to a variety of issues, including payload and range capabilities.

March 2, 1969

The Concorde supersonic transport (SST) jet makes its maiden flight. The Concode is only the second supersonic passenger airliner to have been commercially operated. The Concorde fleet flew until November 26, 2003.

February 18, 1911

Frenchman Henri Pequet makes the first official air mail delivery in Allahabad, British India, moving 6,500 letters to Naini, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. Ooh-la-la!

February 9, 1969

This date was the first test flight of the Boeing 747. Interesting that they chose the same date 6 years after the first test flight of the Boeing 727. I can’t find if this was purposeful or a coincidence? Does anybody that works at Boeing have any info on this?

February 9, 1963

The first flight of the Boeing 727 occurred on this date. For over a decade, it was the most produced commercial jet aircraft in the world.