World
Aviation in 1969
14 & 15 January
Launch dates for the Soviet Soyuz 4 and 5 spacecraft, which
complete the first docking of two manned spacecraft in Earth
orbit and the first crew exchange to be carried out in space.
9 February
The first flight of the Boeing 747 prototype.
12 February
Mil Mi12, the world's largest helicopter, establishes a
number of load-to-height records.
2 March
The Sud Aviation/British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) Concorde
001 Super Sonic Transport (SST) prototype makes its first
flight at Toulouse, piloted by André Turcat, Sud's chief test
pilot.
28 March
Panavia GmgH, a new aerospace company, is created by the
British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), Fiat, Fokker and
Messerschmitt-Bölkow, to develop and manufacture the
Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
29 May
Following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European
Airbus programme, France and Germany sign an agreement to
initiate joint development of the A300B.
5 June
United States Air Force (USAF) bombers renew attacks on North
Vietnam.
4 July
The modern hang glider is developed in United States by
Australian Bill Moyes, while working for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The first flight
is made by fellow Australian Bill Bennett who takes off on
water skis near Staten Island in New York and then flies over
the Statue of Liberty.
16-24 July
NASA's
Apollo 11, crewed by Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E.A. 'Buzz'
Aldrin and Michael Collins, is launched to the Moon and on 21
July Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to set foot on the
Moon.
16 August
United States test pilot Darryl Greenamyer, flying a modified
Grumman F8F2 Bearcat sets a new world speed record for piston
engined aircraft of 769kph (477mph).
13 October
A joint contract for the development of the RB199 engine is
signed by Fiat, MTU and Rolls-Royce.
3 November
The United States Air Force (USAF) issues Requests for
Proposals for a bomber aircraft, under the designation B1.
14-24 November
A second Moon landing is made by Apollo 12, which is crewed
by Charles Conrad, Richard F. Gordon and Alan L. Bean, who
are all United States Navy (USN) personnel.
17
November
The United States/Soviet Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
(SALT) begin in Helsinki, Finland.
1 December
The United States Federal Air Regulation Pt36 is issued. It
is the first piece of legislation aimed at limiting aircraft
noise at airports.
17 December
The first Lockheed C5A Galaxy is handed over to the United
States Air Force at Marietta in Georgia. |