Aviation in Washington, D.C.

The United States capital, Washington, D.C., has been the site of several events in the nation's history of aviation, beginning from the time of the American Civil War, often for the purpose of promoting the adoption of new aeronautical technologies by the government. It has also been home to several aircraft manufacturers and aviation organizations (both government and civilian), and many aerospace contractors have maintained a presence there as well.

Aviation in Washington, D.C.
Aviation in the United States
Washington, D.C. Flag
Airports
Commercial – primary0
Commercial – non-primary0
General aviation0
Other public-use airports0
Military and other airports2
First flight
June 17, 1861

Events

Thaddeus Lowe's gas generators (1861)

The first aeronautical event was the tethered demonstration flight of a hot air balloon, the Enterprise, by Thaddeus S. C. Lowe to Abraham Lincoln. The flight included the demonstration of a balloon-to-ground telegraph, resulting in Lowe being appointed to the newly created position of Chief Aeronaut.[1]

Timeline of events

Aircraft manufacturers

Aerospace

Most large Defense Contractors choose to have branch offices in Washington, D.C. for access to policy and budgetary decision makers.

Airports

Washington, D.C. does not have any public airports within its boundaries.

Washington, D.C. has 48 listed heliports.

Commercial service

Washington, D.C. commercial aviation is served by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, situated on the West side of the Potomac River, it is officially a Virginia airport. Washington.D.C. does not have any commercial transport within its boundaries.

Organizations

Government and military

Government

As the capital of the United States of America, Washington, D.C. is the headquarters for many agencies that oversee aviation, influence aviation policy, and use aviation resources.

Government flight operations

Aviation related government agencies headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Military

Last flight out of Bolling Airfield

Museums

Film and media

Washington, D.C. is a popular backdrop for aircraft photography. In fiction, it is portrayed with historical accuracy, to attacks by aliens.

References

  1. Spencer C. Tucker. The Civil War Naval Encyclopedia.
  2. Tom D. Crouch. "Aero Club of Washington: Aviation in the Nation's Capital, 1909-1914": 46. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Steven Anzovin, Janet Podell. Famous first facts about American politics.
  4. Aero and Hydro. May 17, 1913. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. Popular Mechanics. Feb 1922. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Aviators rejoice over reopening of airspace; 3 airports still closed under FAA restrictions". The Sun. Dec 21, 2001.
  7. "Man Arrested After Landing Gyrocopter By Capitol". Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. Richard Whittle. The Dream Machine: The Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey. p. 16.
  9. "Arsenal of Democracy". Sport Aviation: 14. March 2015.
  10. "FAA Starts No Drone Zone". Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  11. "FAA No Drone Zone". Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  12. Automobile Journal, Volume 33. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. Aeronautics. 1910. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. Automobile Journal, Volume 33. p. 64.
  15. Automobile Journal, Volume 34. p. 68.
  16. Tom D. Crouch. "Aero Club of Washington: Aviation in the Nation's Capital, 1909-1914": 39. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. Kane, Robert (2003). Air Transportation. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. pp. 349–350. ISBN 0-7872-8881-0.
  18. Popular Aeronautics: 67. Jan 1930. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. "NDW History". Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  20. United States Naval Institute. Naval Institute proceedings, Volume 48, Issues 7-12.
  21. René J. Francillon. McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920.
  22. http://www.nasm.si.edu/
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