History | International Aviation HQ

What is the Federal Air Marshal Service? A History of the Federal Air Marshal Service

25Jul

By Charles YongzhengNo Comments

History

What is the Federal Air Marshal Service? A History of the Federal Air Marshal Service

The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) has become immortalized in popular culture, through films like Non-Stop. But few actually know what they do and how they have evolved over their history? Recent years have proven to have brought the FAMS to the breaking point. Post-9/11, the role of the FAMS and their inability to prevent 9/11 has cast them in a poor light, with this often happening in the public eye. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Does the Federal Air Marshal Service do? The Federal Air Marshal Service, commonly abbreviated to the acronym FAMS, is the US's federal law enforcement agency involved with protecting US domestic and international flights. This means that any high-risk flight that originates or terminates anywhere in t...

4Jul

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

History

What was the First Helicopter?

Many helicopter manufacturers claim to have built the first helicopter. Some have been for corporate use, similar to business jets, others have been for military use. But which has truly been the first? When it comes to aviation, many overlook the importance of helicopters. For some, helicopters have been around for a few decades, for others, helicopters have been around for centuries! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ancient Experimental Designs The idea of a flying machine has been around for centuries. The Wright Brothers were able to make the first flight in 1903, but a "flying machine" was far from built. Ancient China The first helicopter "designs" date back to 400 BC. These designs come from the book Baopuzi written by Chi...

17Jun

By Alexander PaskNo Comments

History

History of Air Force One

Air Force One is perhaps the most famous presidential aircraft of all time. However, it didn't always exist, so why was it made and how has it evolved over time? Today we will find out! Air Force One isn't actually one aircraft, in fact it refers to any aircraft that is carrying the President of the United States. The aircraft's name has inspired several films, including Air Force One, starring Harrison Ford. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The First Although he wasn't in office when he first flew, former President Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to fly. He did this on October 11 1910, over a year after he left office. The first serving president to fly was actually Teddy Roosevelt's cousin, FDR. He flew on a specially reconfigu...

16May

By Alexander PaskNo Comments

History

The Impact of the Cold War on Aviation

Last week, we covered the impact of WWII on aviation. This got me thinking, what was the impact of the Cold War on aviation? The Cold War was a war that wasn't really a war... at least not by traditional means. After WWII, the US and USSR, who had once been allies, now became enemies. Instead of fighting a traditional war, the US and USSR set up proxies that would fight one another. Stirring up rebellions and revolts in several countries and rigging elections in others. During these proxy wars, both Russians and Americans would aid, by ending aircraft and pilots to train new recruits. This had a profound effect on aviation throughout the cold war! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Jet Engine Whilst the Cold War certainly didn't invent t...

9May

By Alexander PaskNo Comments

History

The Impact of WWII on Aviation

Yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe. So this had me thinking, what was the impact of WWII on aviation? WWII impacted every industry that was around in the 1940's. Whilst this only comprises what was developed during the Second World War, there is likely no way of knowing the entire impact of WWII on aviation! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Save Aircraft Manufacturers The 1930's hit every industry incredibly hard, thanks to the Great Depression. Many aircraft manufacturers were forced to close as there was no one to buy their aircraft. Some aircraft manufacturers were able to change their business and provide other goods. This affected major players in all countries, including the legendary William Boeing and ...

6May

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

History

What Was The First Business Jet?

There are several contenders for the title of first business jet. Several companies claim to have made the first aircraft solely for corporate use. But which is truly the first? Here's who! The first business jet contenders began to be produced during the 1960's. Whilst many people were enjoying the relative comfortableness of the "Golden Age of Aviation", businessmen were looking for something different... The resulting aircraft and their descendants have since gone on to become part of pop culture! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); McDonnell 119 The 119 is one of the most unique McDonnell aircraft ever built. Not only was it one of the first business jets to ever be marketed, ever. But it was the first McDonnell aircraft to be marketed to civ...

18Apr

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

History

13 Most Famous Aviators From History

Every year, thousands of people become aviators. These people aren't just pilots, but aircraft designers, maintainers and more! This begs the question, who are the most famous aviators? Here's who are... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 13. Clyde Cessna Anyone interested in general aviation should recognize his last name. His company, Cessna Aircraft Company has been one of the largest producers of general aviation aircraft since 1927! In fact, Clyde Cessna, alongside many other aviators, settled in Wichita, Kansas the self-proclaimed "Air Capital of the world"! By being at the center of one of the largest aircraft manufacturers, Clyde became a mini-celebrity in his own right! Cessna also became a household name through its Cessna 152 and Cess...

11Apr

By Alya KulikovaNo Comments

History

9 forgotten aviators from history

Who are aviators that did amazing things, yet history never remembered? Who were these forgotten aviators from history? They often don't have a huge company named after them. They often didn't create the fastest airliner, or the even the biggest one at that. But without these people, who knows where aviation might be today! 9. Bessie Coleman When it comes to female aviators, seldom do we think of Bessie Coleman. More often than not, we think of Amelia Earhart, the famed pilot who went missing off Howland Island. But Bessie Coleman was as, if not more impressive than Amelia Earhart! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When Bessie started flying in 1921, it was difficult for a woman to get a license. Let alone a woman of color! Or even one o...

How is Wichita, Kansas the ‘Air Capital of the World’?

29Feb

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

History

How is Wichita, Kansas the ‘Air Capital of the World’?

Kansas is a small state in the US, most famous for being the home of Superman in many comics. Other than that, its largest city is known as the 'Air Capital of the World', but few know the origins behind this nickname, or even why it is called this!... The nickname 'Air Capital of the World' was first used by the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce in 1929 due to large presence of aviation and aeronautical corporations in the city. Since then, many other organizations have used the nickname to refer to Wichita. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Origins During the 1920's, aviation took a major turn in the US. After the Wright Brother's first flight in 1903, more and more people wanted to get in on the action. Many people turned to large patches ...

4Dec

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

History

Aviation: past vs present

Aviation, just like many industries has changed a lot over the past 100 years. Whereas once, Orville Wright had to hold onto his aircraft for dear life, now, we can travel in relative luxury. But just how much has air travel changed in the past 100 years? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The beginning of commercial aviation I'm not going to talk about the various attempts before the Wright brothers to fly, dating back all the way to the Ancient Greeks at least. On December 17 1903 at Kitty Hawk, Orville Wright took the first powered flight of a heavier than air aircraft. Thus making him the first human to achieve powered flight. After that, aviation remained still largely obscure and disregarded. The Golden age of Aviation After the two world war...