1996 – Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off from Kennedy Space Center on mission STS-72, the ship’s 10th flight and the 74th shuttle mission overall.
The American Jet Industries Hustler 400 prototype in flight.
1995 – Shortly after takeoff from Bogota, an Intercontinental de Aviacion DC-9-14 (reg HK-3839X) crashes into jungle near Cartagena, Colombia following an altimeter failure at night. The sole survivor of the 52 souls on board: a 9-year-old girl. The plane had been originally delivered to Eastern Air Lines and was flown later by Continental Airlines (reg N8901E).
1992 – The FAA for the first time approves a helicopter pilot rating based solely on flight simulator experience.
1990 – Bell Helicopter wins $123 million development contract from the Pentagon for the V-22 Osprey.
1978 – The American Jet Industries (later known as Gulfstream American) Hustler 400 makes its first flight. The five seat aircraft is powered by a nose-mounted turboprop, along with a jet engine in the tail for extra thrust as needed. The program would be canceled in 1981 with only the prototype having been built.
First cover of Popular Mechanics, January 11, 1902
1944 – 570 USAAF bombers strike the German cities of Brunswick, Halberstadt, and Oschersleben in one of the largest air raids to date.
1935 – Amelia Earhart flies from Honolulu to Oakland in 18 hours, becoming the first solo flyer to complete the route.
1902 – Inspiration for many an aviator and planespotter, Popular Mechanics magazine is published for the first time.
