Up Close and Personal
Faces of Flight
August 19 is National Aviation Day, commemorating Orville Wright’s birthday and all things related to aviation and the spirit of flight. This year, NASA Aeronautics celebrates our aeronautical innovators who work to safely transform aviation for the 21st century, bringing you new options for air travel that are faster, more accessible, and serve the public good — all while reducing carbon emissions, noise, and air traffic delays. Here are some of their stories. plus some history on Orville and ideas on how you can celebrate National Aviation Day too!
How did National Aviation Day come about?
National Aviation Day began in 1939 with a birthday and a U.S. president who was interested in promoting a bright future for aviation.
Read the National Aviation Day origin story
NASA Aeronautics Test Pilots
Wind tunnels and computer simulations can help a lot with aeronautical research, but nothing beats doing your research in the air. NASA's test pilots are the people who make that happen. Read about two of our research pilots, Nils Larson and David Zahn, and then enjoy a five-minute video about how some of NASA's pilots from the Armstrong Flight Research Center got their nickname call signs.
Modern history makers at glenn research center in cleveland
David Avanesian
Electrical Engineer
Peggy Cornell
Engineer/Manager
Kamana Katiyar
Engineer/Manager
Susanah Kowalewski
Electrical Engineer
Maricela Lizcano
Research Materials Engineer
Adabelle Narvaez-Bostwick
Chief Engineer
Jarred Wilhite
Aerospace Engineer
Ernest Williams
Facility Manager
Faces of Flight in the Air
DC-8’s Faces of Flight Team
NASA Teammates Recall Favorite Memories Aboard Flying Laboratory
Before its final flight, current and past DC-8 team members joined together on May 2 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California, to celebrate the people, the aircraft and the missions that resulted in incredible contributions to Earth science disciplines.
Read About the DC-8 Team
DC-8’s Female Faces of Flight
Meet NASA Women Behind World’s Largest Flying Laboratory
As NASA’s DC-8 reached its retirement, we highlight five of the women who have made the aircraft and program a success. Kirsten Boogaard, Nicki Reid, Carrie Worth, Erin Waggoner, and Wendy Bereda of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, are building the legacy of women who are helping pave the way for the next generation.
Read About the DC-8's Women
Faces of Flight in the Community
Ideas for Celebrating National Aviation Day
It was in 1939 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first presidential proclamation designating Aug. 19 – Orville Wright’s…
Read the Story
Meet Three Women Working to Electrify Aviation
Meet three female leaders with NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project who are making aviation more sustainable by developing electrified propulsion for aircraft.
Read their not-so-shocking story here
Faces of Flight Videos
In recognition of National Aviation Day this year we present this collection of videos highlighting some of the Faces of Flight from the NASA Aeronautics family who contribute to transforming aviation for the 21st century.
Watch the videos here
More Faces of Flight
We wrap up this celebration of National Aviation Day 2024 by sharing this compelling Image Gallery featuring portraits and brief stories of dozens of people across NASA who push the frontiers of flight in both aeronautics and space exploration.
