Aviation in Delaware

Aviation in Delaware
Aviation in the United States
Delaware State Flag
Airports
Commercial Service - Primary Airports	0
Commercial Service - Non-Primary Airports	0
General Aviation Airports	3
Other Public-Use Airports	6
Military Airports-Other	1
First Flight
21 October 1910

Delaware's first aeronautical event was the flight of Robie Seidelinger in an aircraft of his own design, the Delaplane on 21 October 1910 at Wawaset Park, Wilmington. ^[1]

Events

• 1931 Clyde Edward Pangborn and Hugh Herndon make the first flight across the Pacific in a Delaware built Bellanca J2 as part of a round-the world record attempt.
• 1941 Delaware native George Welch became the first fighter pilot to respond to the bombing at Pearl Harbor.
• 1943 Women Airforce Service Pilots is formed by Jacqueline Cochran with the merger of the 319th Women’s Flying Training Detachment and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, 2nd Ferrying Group.

Aircraft Manufacturers

• Bellanca Aircraft, 1927-present is based out of New Castle, Delaware during its most influential period from 1928 to 1954.

Aerospace

Many aerospace companies are incorporated in Delaware because of favorable tax status.

• United Technologies Corporation, owner of Sikorsky Aircraft.^[2]

Airports

• List of airports in Delaware
• New Castle Airport was the primary commercial airport for the state.

Commercial Service

• Delaware is the only state in the union without any scheduled commercial flights in or out of the state.

Organizations

• Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame
• Experimental Aircraft Association chapter 240 is based out of Wilmington Delaware. [1]

Government and Military

• All flight operations in Delaware are conducted within FAA oversight.
• The Delaware State Police operates 3 Bell 407, 1 Bell 412, and 1 Cessna 182 in police and medical evacuations.^[3]
• The Delaware Air National Guard operates out of Dover Air Force Base.

Museums

• Air Mobility Command museum at Dover Air Force Base
• Delaware Aviation Museum at Sussex County Airport

Gallery

• 

  166th Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules support for Hurricane Katrina victims

• 

  A CAP Fairchild 24 based at Rehoboth

References