On This Day in Aviation History

December 31, 2009
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On This Day in Aviation History: December 31st

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By: Phil Derner Jr.
USAF General Jeanne Holm

USAF General Jeanne Holm

1970 – Jeanne Holm became the first female General in the United States Air Force, also the first of that rank in any military branch.

1968 – The Tupolev Tu-144 made its first flight, and becomes the first supersonic transport aircraft to fly.

1958 – The end of the year marked the first time that more passengers cross the Atlantic by air than by ship, at 1.2 million.

1951 – The year-end tally showed that for the first time, total passenger flying miles exceeded that of railroad miles at 10.6 million.

1922 – A Deutsche Luft-Reederei Dornier Komet became the first German aircraft to fly over Britain since the end of World War I.

1908 – Wilbur Wright made the first flight over two hours in Auvours, France, covering 77 miles.