BarnstormingBarnstorming was a form of entertainment in which stunt pilots performed tricks individually or in groups that were called flying circuses. Devised to "impress people with the skill of pilots and the sturdiness of planes", it became popular in the United States during the Roaring Twenties. Barnstormers were pilots who flew throughout the country to sell airplane rides and perform stunts. Charles Lindbergh first began flying as a barnstormer.
Clyde PangbornClyde Edward Pangborn ( October 28, 1895 – March 29, 1958), nicknamed "Upside-Down Pangborn", was an American aviator and barnstormer who performed aerial stunts in the 1920s for the Gates Flying Circus. He was its half-owner, chief pilot and operating manager, working in partnership with Ivan R. Gates. In 1931, Pangborn and co-pilot Hugh Herndon Jr. flew their plane, Miss Veedol, on the first non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean.
Ivan R. GatesIvan Rhuele "Van" Gates (January 15, 1890 – November 24, 1932) was an American aviator and entrepreneur. While a member of the San Francisco Police Department, he is credited with being the first to transport a prisoner by air.
Wright brothersThe Wright brothers, Orville Wright (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were American aviationpioneers generally credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful airplane.
World War IGlobal conflict from 1914 to 1918BelligerentsAllied Powers: France United Kingdom and Empire:Australia Canada Ceylon EgyptNewfoundlandNew Zealand India South Africa Russia (until 1917) Italy (from 1915) United States(from 1917) Japanand others ...Central Powers: GermanyAustria-HungaryOttoman Empire Bulgaria (from 1915)and others ...Commanders and leadersCasualties and losses 15–22 million deaths (military and civilian)World War I, or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers.
Wing walkingWing walking is the act of moving along the wings of an aeroplane (most commonly a biplane) during flight, sometimes transferring between planes. It originated as a daredevil stunt in the aerial barnstorming shows of the 1920s, and became the subject of several Hollywood movies. An early exponent was Ormer Locklear, who was killed performing a dive on film. Charles Lindbergh began his aviation career as a wing walker.
Patrouille de FranceThe Patrouille acrobatique de France (French pronunciation:, "French Acrobatic Patrol"), also known as the Patrouille de France (PAF), is the precision aerobatics demonstration unit of the French Air and Space Force, officially commissioned in 1953. Using the French Aerial Aerobatics (French: Voltige aérienne Française) unit of the French Air and Space Force, the mission is to represent it and lead the ambassadorship role of French aeronautics overseas.
Pyotr NesterovPyotr Nikolayevich Nesterov (Russian: Пётр Николаевич Нестеров; 27 February [O.S. 15 February] 1887 – 8 September [O.S. 26 August] 1914) was a Russian pilot, aircraft designer and aerobatics pioneer.
AerobaticsAerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in conventional passenger-carrying flights, with the purpose of training, recreation, entertainment or sport. The term is a portmanteau of "aeroplane" and "acrobatics". Most aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis.
Adolphe PégoudAdolphe Célestin Pégoud (French pronunciation: [adɔlf peɡu]; 13 June 1889 – 31 August 1915) was a French aviator and flight instructor who became the first fighter ace in history during World War I.
DogfightA dogfight, or dog fight, is an aerial battle between fighter aircraft that is conducted at close range. Modern terminology for air-to-air combat is air combat manoeuvring (ACM), which refers to tactical situations requiring the use of individual basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) to attack or evade one or more opponents. This differs from aerial warfare, which deals with the strategy involved in planning and executing various missions.
Curtiss JN JennyThe Curtiss JN "Jenny" is a series of biplanes built by the Glenn Curtiss Aeroplane Company of Hammondsport, New York, later the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. Although the Curtiss JN series was originally produced as a training aircraft for the US Army, the "Jenny" (the common nickname derived from "JN") continued after World War I as a civilian aircraft, becoming the "backbone of American postwar [civil] aviation".*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.