THE FIRST FLIGHT OF A TURBOJET-POWERED MANNED aircraft, a Heinkel He 178, took place in Germany on August 27, 1939. During World War II, the focus was naturally on military jets. The United States soon took and retained its lead in jet technology ever since. Yet, it was in the United Kingdom that the first commercial jet airliner emerged. Aviation company de Havilland challenged the then widely held skepticism about the suitability of jet engines for commercial aviation and proposed a pure turbojet design to the British government.
The de Havilland DH 106 Comet prototype first flew on July 27, 1949. It was an all-metal, low-wing, cantilever monoplane featuring several elements that were fairly innovative for the period. It was powered by two pairs of de Havilland Ghost 50 Mk1 turbojet engines buried in the wing roots. The engines were economical in operations above 30,000 feet.
This story is from the November 2019 edition of SP’s Aviation.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2019 edition of SP’s Aviation.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CHARTINGA SUSTAINABLE COURSE
India's aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth accompanied by an inevitable surge in carbon emissions. To counter this environmental challenge, collaborative initiatives between airlines and the MoCA need to taken shape for the integration and adoption of SAF.
MARY ELLIS (1917-2018)
At one RAF base where Mary Ellis landed a Wellington bomber, the ground crew flatly refused to believe that she was the pilot. They even searched inside the bomber convinced that its male pilot was lurking somewhere.
INDIA TO LEAD COMMERCIAL AVIATION RECOVERY IN SOUTH ASIA
According to Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market Outlook, India and South Asia are expected to have over 2,705 new airplane deliveries until 2042
BOEING 777X (777-9) MAKES ITS INDIA DEBUT
Boeing’s latest widebody 777-9 takes center stage at Wings India 2024, poised to redefine travel experience
SCRIPTING THE INDIAN AVIATION STORY
Connecting India to the world in Amrit Kaal and setting the stage for India Civil Aviation @2047
GOVERNMENT APPROVES BIG-TICKET MILITARY ACQUISITION WORTH ₹84,560 CRORE ($10.57 BN)
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to ₹84,560 crore ($10.57 billion). The DAC also notified amendments in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, reducing the overall procurement cycle for Start-Ups & MSMEs.
DEFENDING DRDO - RESTRUCTURE THE RESPONSIBILITIES
A strategic transformation of DRDO is needed to chart a course for excellence in defence technology and a more agile and responsive future
NETRA - EYES IN THE SKY
Indian AEW&C Platforms to Bolster Network-Centric Air Operations
FORCE MULTIPLIERS – ACTION UNFOLDING INDIA
Force multipliers play an undeniable role in amplifying air dominance, demanding continued investment and strategic implementation
IAF MODERNISATION ROADMAP
IAF’s pursuit of Air Space Supremacy amid a surfeit of challenges
