August 19th is National Aviation Day, and this day is quite important for everyone in the field of aviation, here’s why.
There are so many holidays – or designated calendar days – for various things that we can look forward to and make life a bit more fun. For instance…
- January 15th is National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
- March 1st is World Compliment Day
- May 3rd is No Pants Day
- May 9th is Lost Sock Memorial Day
- July 20th is Space Exploration Day
- September 28th is Good Neighbor Day
- December 10th is Dewey Decimal System Day
So, if we can celebrate all of these fun things, it only makes sense that we’d have a National Aviation Day on August 19th, right? After all, there are many who have found joy in the field of aviation, whether in the cockpit, the cabin, on the ground, or in the control room.
Let’s take a moment to explore National Aviation Day and discover what it is all about.
What Is National Aviation Day – and Where Did It Come From?
National Aviation Day is a time of celebrating everything aviation. And, you better believe there is a lot that goes into every aspect of aviation.
You’ve got the technology and manufacturing areas of aviation. There is the maintenance crew, the ticketing and scheduling crew, the back office team, and, of course, the pilots and flight crew members.
Every single one of these individuals plays a part in aviation as it is known today. We must not, however, forget where it came from.
There were two brothers, the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, who are seen as the founding fathers of aviation, so-to-speak. The Wright brothers are known for engineering the first airplane and taking the first successful powered flight.
National Aviation Day was set on August 19th by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. It has remained in effect since.
The Facts
The aviation industry sure has grown since its inception, hasn’t it? We’ve got some fun facts about it that are worth knowing. Some may even astonish you!
- Aviophobia is the fear of flying. It is rumored that one in three people suffer from this to some degree.
- The FAA handles over 44,000 flights daily.
- The United States has over 5.3 million square miles of air space to monitor.
- Pilots and co-pilots are not allowed to eat the same meals before – or during – flight. This is a safety measure to avoid instances of food poisoning.
- Switching from paper flight manuals to iPads (or other tablets) has allowed fuel costs to greatly decline.
- Flying can dry you out, causing you to lose around two cups of water for every hour in the sky.
- There are 5,092 public airports and 14,530 private airports in the U.S.
- American Airlines chose to remove one olive from each salad served in first class in 1987. They saved $40,000.
- Cabin pressure while in flight affects your taste buds. In fact, it weakens them.
- In aviation, English is the de facto language.
- Nearly 11 million jobs in the U.S. fall under the wing of the aviation industry.
Why Does National Aviation Day Matter?
With the first flight that the Wright brothers successfully completed, interest was sparked across the country. Aviation was soon to be an incredibly popular field. Perhaps that is why there have been so many changes and growth within the industry.
National Aviation Day matters because there is always room for improvement. As new technology emerges, there are safer aircraft, fast aircraft, more fuel-efficient aircraft, and so forth.
The art of flying has been perfected, but it is surely still evolving.
This national day of recognition is a reminder to everyone that the aviation field is much alive. It’s a time to remember how it started – and see how far we have come. And, it is a time to learn about all the advancements taking place and the things we can look forward to.
How You Can Celebrate It
There are so many ways in which you can celebrate National Aviation Day. You may think that you would have to know someone or be closely involved to actually participate in any events. But, the truth is, this day is for everyone. It is for those who are involved in the industry and for those either with an interest in it – or seeking to learn more.
August 19th brings with it many events and ways to celebrate the aviation industry. Here are a few examples:
- Take a flying lesson. National Aviation Day seems like the perfect day to learn to pilot, don’t you think?
- If you already have your pilot’s license, why not celebrate from the sky? Go flying.
- Visit your local aviation museum. These are spread out throughout the United States. And, most – if not all – will host special activities on this day.
- Build a model airplane. This is a great family activity, too.
- Take a trip to NASA. This may be more or less feasible, depending on where you are located. But, it is a good idea to remember that NASA is a huge part of the aviation industry – and much of their technology is used in aircraft.
- Spend a couple of hours at or around your local airport. Watch planes take off and land. Pack a picnic and take the family.
- Plan a trip to a local air show and watch the performers during their daring flight routines.
How Will You Celebrate this August 19th?
Well, now that you know all about National Aviation Day, how will you spend it?
Here’s our last idea: How about a flight to someplace you’ve always wanted to go? Or maybe just a short flight over a long weekend?
It’s as simple as booking a private jet charter and hopping on board. Then, take the time to discuss with your friends and loved ones what aviation means to you.
How would your life be impacted without it? What would you like to see when it comes to the future of aviation?
The aviation industry continues to make strides by those who show an interest. With the introduction of STEM programs in schools, more and more people across the country are able to grasp a new love for this industry.
Embrace it and celebrate it!
