San Diego Celebrates 100 Years of Naval Aviation
February 4, 2011 | 10:01 AM | By Matt Thompson
Next week, San Diego will celebrate the centenary of naval aviation in the US, with a kick-off celebration on Naval Air Station North Island. Jim Trageser of the North County Times gives us an excellent overview of San Diego’s historic role in naval flight:
When it comes to naval aviation, there is no such dispute: San Diego is where it all began —- and as the Navy and aviation enthusiasts kick off a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of naval aviation next week, the first events will be held right here.
It was aviation pioneer and Wright Brothers competitor Glenn Curtiss who made the earliest flights above San Diego Bay. On Jan. 27, 1911, Curtiss conducted the first-ever flight of a seaplane, just seven years after the Wright Brothers ushered in the era of manned flight. The next day, Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson soloed in a standard land-based plane at Curtiss’ military aviation school on North Island, becoming the first Navy officer to earn his gold pilot’s wings.
In the years since, San Diego County has become an anchor of Navy aviation —- home to the North Island and Miramar air stations, to Ream Field (an auxiliary Navy helicopter base in Imperial Beach) and to the carrier base on North Island, as well as a Coast Guard station with helicopters.
No comments:
Post a Comment