January 1

2012 -- U.S. lawmakers failed to fund the Federal Aviation Administration.

Congress allowed the FAA's funding to expire. The funding lapse triggered the layoffs of several thousand federal employees and shut down airport construction projects. Air traffic controllers, safety inspectors and other "essential" personnel are still on the job, which is why planes are still flying.

Congressional inaction has also removed the FAA's authority to collect some of the taxes on airline tickets and jet fuel. Most airlines rather than pass the "savings" on to passengers just jacked up fares by the amount of the taxes. So now, the FAA is ceding millions of dollars a day, it will never recover, to the airlines .

2012 -- Ryanair today confirmed that only 3,000 copies of its 2012 Cabin Crew Charity Calendar remain, after a record 7,000 sold in just four weeks.

2012 -- The FRAC Centre in Orléans, France has released a video of the robot swarm in action during its current exhibition. Titled "Flight Assembled Architecture," the live installation showcases a fleet of quadrocopters building a six meter-high tower made up of 1,500 prefabricated polystyrene foam modules.

2011 -- Looks like there will no letup this year in a campaign Washington says is hurting al Qaeda-linked groups.

Drone aircraft strikes killed Muslim militants in northwest Pakistan today. Pakistani intelligence officials say three U.S. missile attacks spaced just hours apart have killed at least 18 people in the country's northwest. At least nine people were killed in the first attack, in the Mandi Khel area of the North Waziristan tribal region. Two hours later, drones struck the same site again, killing at least five people who had gathered to retrieve the bodies. A third raid targeted a moving vehicle, killing four people in the Mohammed Khel area of North, Waziristan.

2011 -- The engine of a Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft caught fire at Surgut airport in West Siberia. The fire quickly spread throughout the plane before the entire aircraft exploded, [Video, raw footage] killing three people and injuring 43 others.

Most of the 124 people on board - including passengers and crew - were evacuated safely before the explosion, which completely destroyed the Russia-made plane. The plane, which belonged to the regional Kogalymavia airline, was flying from the western Siberian town of Surgut to Moscow.

2011 -- A USAF Accident Investigation Board (AIB) failed to determine conclusively why one of its Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft hit the ground about a quarter of a mile short of its intended landing zone in Afghanistan last April and crashed, killing the pilot, another crew member and two passengers in the first combat loss of an Osprey tiltrotor.

2011 -- Man claims TSA molested his credit cards and other personal documents for no reason.



2010 -- A Transportation Security Administration agent at New York's LaGuardia Airport has been reassigned after a traveler photographed her napping while in uniform.

2003 -- The Royal Air Force (RAF) retires the Westland Wessex helicopter after No.84 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri gives up its aircraft to receive the new Bell Griffin HAR2.

The retirement and re-equipment is overseen by Squadron Leader Nicky Smith, the first woman to command an RAF flying unit.

2001 -- Modernisation of 36 McDonnell Douglas F4E Phantoms for the Hellenic Air Force is well under way. Beginning in March 2000, the work is carried out by DASA in Munich and the Phantom, which first entered service in the 1960's, will receive avionics and weapons upgrades.

2001 -- Airbus Integrated Company comes into existence, formed as part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS).

1999 -- Twelve Panavia Tornados of No.12 Squadron (RAF Lossiemouth) fly 32 sorties in Iraq and drop over 60 Paveway laser guided bombs.

Targets included bunkers housing Iraqi remotely piloted vehicles capable of dispersing chemical and biological agents.

1997 -- The Royal Air Force (RAF) station at Sek Kong in the New Territories, Hong Kong, closes.

The Royal Air Force's last remaining base in Asia, Sek Kong had been home to No.28 Squadron (Westland Wessex), the last RAF flying squadron in the Far East. With the closure of the station, No.28 Squadron transfers to Hong Kong's civil airport at Kai Tak.

1994 --The day the NAFTA Treaty came into effect, hundreds of guerrillas from the previously unknown Zapatista Army for National Liberation (EZLN) occupied several towns in the southern state of Chiapas.  Fuerza Aerea Mexicana mobilized to support Army units, sending almost every available helicopter to the territory of operations (TO). 

Units involved in included the recently formed 214th and 215th Special Operations Squadrons, equipped with a mix of Bell 212 assault- and MD.530F scout helicopters. Up to 40 helicopters were deployed to support an initial deployment of 10,000 ground troops.  Bell 212s were armed in two configurations: for fire support with twin MAG 7.62-mm gun pods and cabin-mounted GPMGs; or as gunship, with LAU-32 70-mm rocket launchers, a twin MAG gun-pod and cabin mounted MAG GPMGs.

Pumas, Bell 205s, 206s and 212s from the 209th were also deployed, however, FAM’s helicopter assets were scarce and the Army had to rely on almost every other government agency’s helicopters for general support tasks. Almost any flyable aircraft from the National Attorney’s Office (PGR) was also deployed, including Bell 206s and 212s, as well as the Navy’s recently acquired Mi-8MTV-1s.  Their sturdiness, lift-capacity and capability were greatly admired by Army Generals. Consequently, Mi-8/-17 Hip was selected to become the Army’s new workhorse and a first batch of 12 was delivered in 1997. The Mi-8 was unsuitable for operations in Central Mexico’s high elevation, so the next batch of 24 aircraft comprised the more powerful Mi-17 model. Eventually the Federal Army deployed some 70.000 ground troops and air support proved to be insufficient.

1993 -- Two Azeerbaijani Air and Defence Force MiG-25s shot down during the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

1992 -- Designated as the "International Space Year" by the United Nations.

1988 -- Strategic Air Command changed its crew assignment policy to permit mixed male and female crews in Minuteman and Peacekeeper launch facilities.

1988 -- The Soviet Air Force forms its first operational Tupolev Blackjack strategic bomber regiment after eleven aircraft are delivered.

1987 -- U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphins and US Navy H-3 Sea Kings help rescue people trapped inside the Dupont Plaza hotel in Puerto Rico after a fire there on New Year's Eve.

1987 -- Operation Swift Sword (Saif Sareea) in Oman sees the first air-to-air refuelling of a passenger aircraft. A Tristar K1 of No.216 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton.

This British exercise also saw the first operational turn round of Panavia Tornados from No.617 Squadron and No.229 Operational Conversion Unit.

1983 -- Military Airlift Command assigned its 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing to the 23rd Air Force along with the aeromedical evacuation mission, C-9 aircraft, and the operation of Scott AFB, Illinois.

1979 -- Vickers VC10 transport aircraft of No.10 Squadron RAF and Lockheed Hercules from the Lyneham Tactical Wing evacuate British nationals from Tehran during the Iranian Revolution.

1978 -- An Air India Boeing 747 airliner explodes in mid-air, killing 213 people.

1978 -- British Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Siddeley, and Scottish Aviation are absorbed into British Aerospace.

1976 -- No.38 and No.46 Groups RAF Strike Command are amalgamated as No.38 Group.

1975 -- Vickers VC10 transport aircraft of No.10 Squadron RAF and Lockheed Hercules from the Lyneham Tactical Wing evacuate British nationals from Tehran during the Iranian Revolution.

Background.

1975 -- Following the de facto collapse of the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) in the aftermath of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the British government terminates its declaration to CENTO and redirects all resources to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

As a consequence, all Royal Air Force (RAF) fixed-wing aircraft were withdrawn from Cyprus during this month and redeployed to RAF Strike Command.

1973 -- The 509th Bombardment Wing became the first FB-111 unit to use operational short-range attack missiles at Pease AFB, New Hampshire.

1969 -- The 71st Special Operations Squadron flew the first AC-119 gunship combat mission in Vietnam.

1967 -- The Air Force received 140 CV-2 Caribou from the U.S. Army.

This marked the first time that an entire inventory of an aircraft transferred from one service to another.

1966 -- Air National Guard airlift units started flying about 75 cargo flights a month to Southeast Asia. Additionally, the ANG flew about 100-plus flights a month to augment the Military Airlift Command's global airlift mission.

1966 -- U.S. Military Air Transport Service is redesignated Military Airlift Command. Air Rescue Service becomes Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service.

Air Photographic and Charting Service is renamed Aerospace Audio-Visual Service.

1965 -- The U.S. Air Force's first SR-71 unit, the 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, activates at Beale AFB, California.

1962 -- Construction ended on the Idaho first squadron of Model A Minuteman I facilities at Malmstrom AFB, Montana.

Strategic Air Command also activated its third and last Model A squadron, the 490th Strategic Missile Squadron.

1962 -- RAF Bomber Command initiates a permanent nuclear Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) capability, with one aircraft from each V-force squadron at 15 minutes readiness.

1960 -- No.38 Group is reformed under the command of Air Vice Marshal P.G. Wykeham as a specialist tactical group within RAF Transport Command.

1960 -- Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas Pike succeeds Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle as Chief of the Air Staff.

1960 -- The Hawker Hunter is introduced into Aden with No.8 Squadron.

Fleet Air Arm aircraft operating in Aden waters also began to participate in attacks against targets in Aden and Yemen from March of this year.

1960 -- Fiji Airways is reconstituted, becoming equally owned by BOAC, QANTAS, and Tasman Empire Airways.

1959 -- The Royal Air Force's 2nd Tactical Air Force is renamed Royal Air Force Germany.

1958 -- The U.S. Air Force moved the 1st Missile Division and the 704th Strategic Missile Wing to Cooke AFB, California.

This was the Strategic Air Command's first ballistic missile wing.

1958 -- The Royal Air Force complete a photographic survey of Aden Colony and Protectorate covering 112,000 square miles on behalf of the Colonial Office and Directorate of Military Survey. Gloster Meteor, English Electric Canberra and Vickers Valiant photographic reconnaissance aircraft were used.

1957 -- Start of Mid-Canada radar warning line operations; from James Bay to Peace River area; Bell Canada, representing Trans-Canada Telephone System, is project agent.

1956 -- Air Chief Marshal Sir Dermot Boyle succeeds Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Dickson as Chief of the Air Staff. Sir Dermot was the first graduate from the RAF College to be appointed to this post.

1956 --  The 5th Allied Tactical Air Force is established under the Allied Air Forces and includes American, French, Greek, Italian and Turkish airmen. 

1955 -- In an effort to strengthen the position of the Ministry of Defence in relation to that of the individual Service Ministries, the British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, creates the post of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee to act as the military advisor to the Minister of Defence.

The first incumbent of this post was Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Dickson, who became Chairman on relinquishing the post of Chief of the Air Staff.

1955 -- The first of the 'V-bomber' squadron, No.138 Squadron, is authorised for formation at RAF Gaydon. The squadron had a unit establishment of eight Vickers Valiant B1s. The first Valiant was collected from the manufacturer's airfield at Wisley and flown to Gaydon by the squadron commander, Wing Commander R.G.W. Oakley, on January 8.

1954 --  An Air Weapons School is established in Florida by the United States Navy (USN). 

1953 -- Air Chief Marshal Sir John Slessor succeeds Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder as Chief of the Air Staff.

1950 -- Air Chief Marshal Sir John Slessor succeeds Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder as Chief of the Air Staff.

1948 -- Iresponse to tribal unrest within the United Nations mandated territory of Somaliland, No.6 Squadron (Hawker Tempest F6) deploys from Fayid to Mogadishu to fly a series of demonstration sorties. No.6 Squadron's efforts were subsequently augmented by a detachment of Tempest F6s belonging to No.8 Squadron, which operated from Hargeisa during March 1948.

1947 -- The Pacific Air Command, U.S. Army was redesignated Far East Air Forces (FEAF). Seventh Air Force in Hawaii transferred to Army Air Forces, and then was designated Pacific Air Command on December 15.

1946 -- Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas is promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

1946 -- A British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian becomes the first commercial flight to depart from London Heathrow Airport.

1945 -- The RAF Helicopter Training School is formed at Andover, under the command of Squadron Leader B.H. Arkell. The school was equipped with Sikorsky R4 helicopters.

1945 -- Operation Bodenplatte (Baseplate): the Luftwaffe launches over 800 fighters and fighter-bombers, predominantly Focke Wulf Fw190s and Messerschmitt Bf109s, in a low-level surprise attack on Allied advanced airfields in Belgium and the Netherlands. Surprise was complete, although the attacks on some airfields were ineffective. Nevertheless, 224 Allied aircraft were destroyed (144 RAF) with a further 84 damaged beyond unit repair.

Despite this, Bodenplatte proved to be a phyrric victory. Allied pilot losses were minimal, and the aircraft destroyed were replaced within two weeks. By contrast, the Luftwaffe lost 300 aircraft during the course of the operation to Allied airfield defences, German anti-aircraft units that had not been warned of the planned assault, and accidents. Surviving records indicate that 237 Luftwaffe pilots were killed, went missing or were captured and 18 wounded, including some of Germany's most experienced fighter leaders.

1944 -- U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe is activated.

1943 -- RCAF No. 6 Bomber Group begins operations from England; RCAF now has 31 squadrons overseas, 36 at home; Canada's largest air formation.

1942 -- The Italian Air Force contingent in Belgium (Corpo Aereo Italiano) mounts its last raid on the United Kingdom, when four Fiat BR20 bombers attempt to bomb Ipswich.

1942 -- (Exact date uncertain) Soviet Airforce Lieutenant Ivan Mikhailovich Chisov survived a fall of nearly 22,000 feet (6 700 meters).

Lieutenant Chisov was on an Ilyushin Il-4 bomber when German fighters attacked his bomber, forcing him to bail out. With the battle still raging around him, Lt. Chisov intentionally did not open his parachute, since he feared that he would just be an easy target for an angry German while he was dangling from his parachute harness. He planned on dropping below the level of the battle, and then, once he was out of sight of the German fighters, he would open his chute and land safely. However, he lost consciousness on the way down, and was unable to pull the rip cord. Miraculously, he was not killed. He hit the edge of a snowy ravine at an estimated speed of somewhere between 120 and 150 mph, then slid, rolled, and plowed his way down to the bottom. He suffered spinal injuries and a broken pelvis, but was able to fly again three months later.

1942 -- Major Malcom Wheeler-Nicholson, military expert, forecast the use of circus “bat-wings” for parachute troops, in the August issue of Mechanix Illustrated. 

Now, as a preliminary test, the California State Guard has organized just such a unit of “bat-man” paratroopers, under the leadership of Mickey Morgan, famed jumper. Bat-wings, it is claimed, makes paratroops more maneuverable-and swifter.

1941 -- 1-2: Approximately 20,000 incendiary devices are dropped during an attack on Bremen, by 95 Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command aircraft.

1941 -- The first mobile Ground Controlled Interception (GCI) radar station, at Sopley, is sited and manned by this date.

1940 -- Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) coding is introduced to identify Bomber, Coastal and Fighter Command aircraft for the air defence system. VHF Radio Telephone installations are also completed eight selected sectors.

1940 -- Fourteen Lockheed Hudsons [Video]and a Short Sunderland [Video] are fitted with the first maritime search radar sets, designated Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) Mark 1.

1939 -- On this date, the Royal Air Force consists of 135 squadrons: 74 bomber, 27 fighter, 12 army co-operation, 17 reconnaissance, 4 torpedo-bomber and 1 communications squadron.

Additionally, the Auxiliary Air Force has grown to 19 squadrons: 3 bomber, 11 fighter, 2 army co-operation and 3 reconnaissance squadrons.

1934 -- The airline Deutsche Luft Hansa changes its name to Lufthansa.

1933 -- Rank of Sergeant Major is abolished in the Royal Air Force and replaced by Warrant Officer.

1930 -- The Imperial Defence College (IDC) is opened. The commandant of the College is selected from each fighting Services in turn, with Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham the first from the Royal Air Force (19 January 1931).

1930 -- The Royal Air Force Far East Command is formed.

1930 -- The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard, is promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

1929 -- Polish airline LOT formed.

1929 -- 1-7: Carl Spaatz, Ira Eaker, and Elwood Quesada set an endurance record of 151 hours aloft in a Fokker F.VIIa-3m.

1927 -- The Imperial Defence College (IDC) is opened. The commandant of the College is selected from each fighting Services in turn, with Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham the first from the Royal Air Force (19 January 1931).

1927 -- The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard, is promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

1927 -- A tri-service "Shanghai Defence Force" is hurriedly despatched from the United Kingdom to protect European nationals and their property in Shanghai from Chinese communist forces.

The air component of the force includes Fleet Air Arm Flights aboard the carriers HMS Hermes (already on the China Station) and Argus. Subsequently, Royal Air Force China Command at Hong Kong is created to administer Royal Air Force units in the theatre, with Group Captain E.D.M. Robertson as commander.

1925 -- French airline CIDNA is formed.

1922 -- Instone Air Line introduced uniforms to its pilots and staff;  the first non-military air service to do so.

1914 -- The world's first scheduled airplane passenger service operated by an airline company - the Airboat Line - begins at 10:00 A.M. when Antony Habersack Jannus flies his first passenger from St. Petersburg to Tampa, Florida. The fare for 22-mile over-water flight was $5 with a surcharge if the passenger weighs more than 200 lbs.

1914 -- The U.S. Weather Bureau begins daily publication of a weather map of the Northern Hemisphere designed specifically as an aid to aviation.

1911 - Wilbur Wright’s tribute to Octave Chanute, written shortly after Chanute’s death on November 23, 1910, published in Aeronautics.

Wilbur attempts to define Chanute’s place in aeronautical history and concludes: "his writings were so lucid as to provide an intelligent understanding of the nature of the problems of flight to a vast number of persons who would probably never have given the matter study otherwise, and not only by published articles, but by personal correspondence, and visitation, he inspired and encouraged to the limits of his ability all who were devoted to the work . . . In patience and goodness of heart he has rarely been surpassed. Few men were more universally respected and loved."

1879 -- American physicist and radio engineer Albert Hoyt Taylor is born in Chicago, Illinois.

Known as the "father of navy radar" whose work laid the foundation for U.S. radar development. In September 1922, with Leo C. Young, he proposed the detection of intruding ships by transmitting a curtain of high-frequency radio waves across harbour entrances, or between ships, with a receiver to detect disturbances caused by ships moving in the electromagnetic field. Taylor became superintendent of the Radio Division at the newly-established Naval Research Laboratory in 1923. In 1934, he directed Robert Page to experiment with pulsed high-frequency radio signals for aircraft detection.