American Aviation Historical Society

1935

Wiley Post, the first pilot to fly solo around the world, and his passenger, the humorist Will Rogers, are killed in the crash of a hybrid Lockheed Orion/Lockheed Explorer aircraft near Point Barrow in the Territory of Alaska.

1951

Test pilot Bill Bridgeman reaches a record altitude of 79, 494 ft. in the #2 Douglas D-558-II rocket research aircraft, although this does not qualify for FAI Federal Aeronautique Internationale) recognition.

1957

Gen Nathan F. Twining became first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1958

Congress approves a bill creating the Federal Aviation Agency FAA) to regulate all US commercial and military aviation.