Paying Homage to Our Passion of Flight

It’s amazing to imagine just how far aviation has come in just over a century of heavier-than-air powered flight. December 17, 1903 stands as the widely accepted landmark date that flight entered a new age. With years of balloon and glider experience before then, a lack of suitable technology remained the constraining factor until that winter day in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina when everything changed. And since then, we haven’t looked back – constantly progressing technology, achieving new heights, and continuing to shrink the world.

But let’s never forget aviation in its most basic form. The quiet glider as it orbits a cumulus cloud, a Piper Cub as its wheels kiss a fresh cut grass runway or the eager Cessna 150 as it takes a newly soloed student around the patch. Staying in touch with our aviation roots is what keeps that passion burning for many of us – remembering those moments that made us fall in love with the sky.

Beechcraft Bonanza in-flight.

We can also admire how far we’ve come, and envision just how far we can go. From two wings to one, propeller power to turbojets, and steam gauges to glass cockpits, technology continues to push the limits. In the early days, flying was nothing more than a daredevil stunt. But today, it has become our travel norm.

So today, on #NationalAviationDay, let’s tip our caps to those who pioneered the earliest days of flying, the Wright Brothers for ushering us into a new era, and all the other aviation legends that contributed to this gift of flight. Head out to your local airport, air museum or get up in the sky to celebrate!