When is National Aviation Day? This holiday is always observed on August 19
National Aviation Day, an August 19 holiday, is in honor of the birthday of aviator Orville Wright. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were pioneer aviators in the United States. Orville was the first person to successfully fly an airplane. His first flight was December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This inaugural flight was soon to change the skies forever.
It’s heavier than air, and it flies! National Aviation Day honors the accomplishments of Orville and Wilbur Wright. It is sometimes called Wright Brother’s Day. To a lesser degree, National Aviation Day sometimes honors other early aviation and space pioneers. This day was selected, as it is Orville Wright’s birthday. (August 19, 1871)
Aviation Trivia and Fun Facts
Aviation has a rich history. Here are some aviation trivia and fun facts. Share them with your friends!
Orville Wright completed the first heavier-than-air flight on December 17, 1903. at Kitty Hawk, NC.
In 2001 Helios, an unmanned solar-powered aircraft broke the record for the highest flight of a non-rocket-powered aircraft. It flew to a height of 96,863 feet above the ground.
In October, 1967, Major William J. “Pete” Knight broke the record for the fastest airplane. The rocket-powered X-15 A-2 reached a speed of 4,520 miles per hour. This is over six times the speed of sound.
The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia is the busiest airport in the world. It handles nearly 75 million passengers per year.
At any point, there may be up to 5,000 planes in the air at the same time in the United States alone.
On May 24, 1991, an El Al Boeing 747 carried a record 1,088 people during an evacuation from Ethiopia.
Only 5% of the people in the world have ever been on an airplane.
Produced in 1933, the Boeing 247 was the first commercial airplane. It carried 10 passengers.
The United States Armed Forces has over 14,000 aircraft in its inventory.
Did you ever notice flight attendants during flight walking down aisles with their arms lifted and extended out? This is for balance so they don’t fall down or onto a passenger.
Blankets on a plane are rarely washed.
The majority of passenger seats are blue because this is a calming color.
The seats in the back of a plane are the safest.
Over 26 million pieces of luggage are lost or delayed per year. Most of it eventually reaches the owner.
Flying in a lightning storm is scary. But, it’s safe.
How to Celebrate National Aviation Day
Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate National Aviation Day or Wright Brothers Day:
Learn more about Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright.
Learn about the history of aviation and other famous aviators like Amelia Earhart.
Take a ride in an airplane.
Visit an airplane museum.
Take flying lessons.
Give a child a model airplane.
Today's Quote
“Learning the secret of flight from a bird is was a good deal like learning magic from a magician.” – – Orville Wright
History and Origin of National Aviation Day
This special day was created by a presidential proclamation by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. As a result, it is a true “National” day.
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