February 2019 - First Flight Society

25 02, 2019

Commander Stewart Ross Graham

Inducted in 2016

Pioneered helicopter rescue techniques

1917-2016

Inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2016, celebrating the 113^th Wright Brothers Anniversary of Powered Flight. This aviation hero was a pioneer in the development of techniques the helicopter is renowned for to this day.

Commander Graham, trained by his mentor Capt. Erickson, was soon designated as the second Coast Guard helicopter pilot. Commander Graham become “awestruck” by the new “machine”, and captivated by its possibilities. Instructor and student were an outstanding team – and deservingly earned their titles as HELICOPTER PILOT #1 and HELICOPTER PILOT #2.

25 02, 2019

Captain Frank A. Erickson

Inducted in 2016

Pioneered helicopter rescue techniques

1907-1978

Inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2016, celebrating the 113^th Wright Brothers Anniversary of Powered Flight.

This aviation hero was a pioneer in the development of techniques the helicopter is renowned for to this day. Captain Erikson is designated as the first Coast Guard helicopter pilot. Capt. Erickson, a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, applied for flight training, became fascinated with aviation, and was challenged by the possibilities for the helicopter.

25 02, 2019

Elrey Borge Jeppesen

Inducted in 2017

Creator of the “little Black Book”-Founder of Jeppesen Company

1907-1996

Inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine, December 17, 2017. While flying across the country to deliver mail in the early days of aviation, Capt. Jeppesen created his “little black book” of navigation charts, information still in use today. He eventually founded the Jeppesen Company providing navigational assistance to pilots, and which is now a subsidiary of the Boeing Corporation.

25 02, 2019

Katherine G. Johnson

Inducted in 2018

NASA research mathematician

1918-2020

A NASA mathematician for 33 years, Mrs. Johnson was the first female to author a NASA research report and is most known for her work on the trajectory analysis needed for Alan Shepards’ 1961 Freedom mission and John Glenn’s 1962 orbital mission. However, she cites her calculations syncing the Apollo Lunar Lander with the Command & Service Module as her greatest contribution to space exploration. Profiled in the book and movie “Hidden Figures”. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

Painting by Gregory Kavalec, displayed at Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitors Center, Kill Devil Hills, NC.

10 02, 2019

FFS is Accepting Nominations for the First Flight Shrine.

We are accepting nominations for the First Flight Society Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine for 2020. Nominees should have made an outstanding accomplishment in manned flight and that they are generally recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements and contributions to aviation.

All nominations must be received no later than March 31st.