World
Aviation in 1958
The 'Black Box' flight
recorder is developed by David Warren of the Aeronautical
Research Laboratories in Melbourne.
14-20 January
A round the world airline service is inaugurated by Qantas,
using a Lockheed Super Constellation 'Southern Aurora',
eastbound from Sydney to London via the United States and
another, the 'Southern Zephyr' westbound from Sydney to
London via India and the Middle East.
1 February
Explorer I is launched, and becomes the first United States
satellite to enter Earth orbit.
4 February
The keel of the world's first nuclear powered aircraft
carrier, the USS Enterprise, is laid.
17 March
Vanguard I, the 2nd United States satellite to enter Earth's
orbit, is launched.
1 April
Economy class is introduced by carriers operating the North
Atlantic routes.
7 May
Major H.C. Johnson, flying a Lockheed F104A Starfighter, sets
the third new world altitude record in less than three weeks,
attaining a height of 27,811 metres (91,243 feet).
12 May
The joint United States-Canada, North American Air Defence
Command (NORAD), is formally established.
16 May
The first world speed record over 2,000kph is set by Captain
W.W. Irvin of the United States Air Force (USAF), in a
Lockheed F104A Starfighter attaining a speed of 2,259kph
(1,403mph).
23 May
Frenchwoman Colette Duval sets a new world record by
parachuting into the Atlantic without oxygen from an altitude
of 40,700 feet.
24 May
The Bell X14 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft
makes its first transition from hovering to forward flight.
1 July
Royal Nepal Airlines is formed as a wholly government-owned
airline, operating domestic services.
16 July
Ghana Airways inaugurates its first international operations.
23 July
It is announced that the Boeing Vertol VZ2A has made its
first successful transition from vertical to horizontal
flight and vice versa.
3 September
The Chilean airline Ladeco is formed.
1 October
The United States' National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) is established.
11 October
The United States Air Force (USAF) makes a second attempt to
put a research probe, Pioneer IB, in orbit around the moon.
12 December
The balloon 'Small World', commanded by A.B. Elloart, ascends
from the Canary Isles in an attempt to traverse the South
Atlantic. It lands in the sea on December 15 having travelled
2,800 kilometres (1,740 miles). |