March 12 in aviation: detour around the world in just 43 hours, the first flight for Embraer ERJ-190
On March 12, 1932, new landing aids were installed at Newark, New Jersey Airport, the busiest airport in the world at the time, to complement the existing night landing facilities there.
In 1930 alone, there were about 28.000 landings, and the airport handled 20.000 passengers. Opened on October 1, 1928, Newark Liberty International Airport, the first major airport in the metropolitan area, was built by the city of Newark on 68 acres of swamp and quickly became the busiest commercial airport in the world. During World War II, it was used by the Army Air Corps. In 1948, the Port Authority assumed responsibility for operation and development.
Other aviation events on March 12.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines was established.
On March 12, 1979, Atlantic Southeast Airlines was established.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) was an American airline based at the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia, which flew to 144 destinations as a Delta Connection carrier and, in February 2010, began service as a United Express carrier. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. ASA operates almost 900 flights every day. Its main center was at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Following a merger in 2010 with ExpressJet, ASA took over the ExpressJet name and brand in 2011.
Around the earth in just 43 hours.
On March 12, 1980, two Stratofortress B-52 aircraft made a non-stop flight around the land. in 42.5 hours.
As the Cold War began, the United States longed to show the USSR that no matter where the Soviets hid, American bombers would be there to retaliate if needed. This ambition proved to be a perfect opportunity for the newly created United States Air Force, which was eager to establish itself as an independent branch of the United States Navy and Army. Curtis LeMay, head of the Strategic Air Command, ordered a group of B-50 bombers to embark on a mission to fly around the globe. One of these planes was a B50A Superfortress aircraft, nicknamed the Lucky Lady II.
The first test flight of the X-38 aircraft.
On March 12, 1998, the first test flight of the X-38 aircraft took place, a spacecraft project planned to be used for future emergency missions of the International Space Station.
The first flight of the Embraer ERJ-190 aircraft.
The first flight of the Embraer ERJ-12 took place on March 2004, 190. Embraer E is a twin-engine aircraft with a short and medium range, which can carry from 66 to 124 passengers for commercial flights. The aircraft are manufactured by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer.
The aircraft was first introduced at the Paris Air Show in 1999 and went into production in 2002. The series was a commercial success primarily due to its ability to efficiently serve routes with lower demand, offering the facilities and features of larger aircraft. .
Southwest Airlines detained 44 aircraft for inspection.
On March 12, 2008, Southwest Airlines detained 44 aircraft for inspection just days after the FAA said 117 of the company's 737 flights were operated without proper certificates of airworthiness.