Maiden flight

"First flight" redirects here. For other uses of the term, see First Flight.

The maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground under its own power. This is similar to a ship's maiden voyage.

The first flight of a new aircraft type is always a historic occasion for the type. In the early days of aviation it could be dangerous, because the exact handling characteristics of the aircraft were generally unknown. The first flight of a new type is almost invariably flown by a highly experienced test pilot. First flights are usually accompanied by a chase plane, to verify items like altitude, airspeed, and general airworthiness.

A first flight is only one stage in the development of an aircraft type. Unless the type is a pure research aircraft (such as the X-15), the aircraft must be tested extensively to ensure that it delivers the desired performance with an acceptable margin of safety. In the case of civilian aircraft, a new type must be certified by a governing agency (such as the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States) before it can enter operation.

Notable first flights

Airbus A380 on April 27, 2005
Boeing 787 on December 15, 2009
Airbus A350 XWB on June 14, 2013

An incomplete list of first flights of notable aircraft types, organized by date, follows.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maiden flights.
  1. Gary Bradshaw. "Thomas Moy's Aerial Steamer, 1874. lifted six inches (15 centimeters) off the ground.". U.S. Centennial of Flight. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
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