Pilots, Planes and Pioneers

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A History    
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Planes    
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hile the Wright brothers may have been the first to make a sustained, controlled flight, they were just two among hundreds of brave men and women who helped to give the world its wings during the earliest days of aviation. Their Flyer was but one of many historically important aircraft. Below are brief descriptions and photos of some of the most important people and planes, and where available resources and links where you can find more information. In some cases, contributors have supplied expanded histories and biographies. Those are listed at the right and linked below.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

 
 
Arthur C. Krebs was a French engineer and inventor who made tremendous contributions to the emerging aviation, automotive, and submarine technologies during the last part of the nineteenth century. In 1884, with Charles Renard, his built a 165 foot-long (50 meters) elongated balloon with a 7.5 hp electric motor and tractor propeller. On 9 August 1884, the La France dirigible made her maiden flight, traveling 5 miles (8 kilometers) in a light wind and returning to her starting point 23 minutes later. This was considered the first controlled flight of an airship.
 

Arthur C. Krebs.

An illustration of the airship LaFrance.
 

The LaFrance stored inside the hangar that was built especially for the airship. Although it's in bad shape, this building still exists.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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"Aviation is proof that – given the will – we can do the impossible."
 Eddie Rickenbacker

 

 

A History of the Airplane/Pilots, Planes and Pioneers K

Biographies of Aviation Pioneers

 

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