Wiley Post: The First Solo Flight Around the World in 1933
On July 22, 1933, American aviator Wiley Post made history by completing the first solo flight around the world, landing at Floyd Bennett Field in New York after a journey of 7 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes. The feat, reported by the Associated Press and documented in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s aeronautical archives, marked a milestone in aviation, demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance flights and establishing Post as a pioneer. Piloting the Lockheed Vega monoplane, named Winnie Mae, Post covered approximately 25,000 kilometers, overcoming technical and weather challenges, as detailed in the August 1933 issue of Popular Mechanics. Winnie Mae, Post percorreu cerca de 25.000 quilômetros, superando desafios técnicos e climáticos, conforme relatado pela Popular Mechanics em sua edição de agosto de 1933.
Wiley Post, a self-taught aviator born in 1898 in Texas, was already renowned for his achievements. In 1931, he and navigator Harold Gatty completed the first global circumnavigation by air in 8 days and 15 hours, also in the Winnie Mae. However, the solo flight of 1933 was even more daring. Departing from New York on July 15, Post made 11 strategic stops, including Berlin, Moscow, Novosibirsk, and Fairbanks, facing adverse conditions such as fog, storms, and strong winds. “Aviation is about pushing limits, and this flight proves one man alone can conquer the world,” Post said in an interview with the Associated Press after landing, published on July 23, 1933. Winnie Mae. O voo solo de 1933, no entanto, foi ainda mais ousado. Partindo de Nova York em 15 de julho, Post fez 11 paradas estratégicas, incluindo Berlim, Moscou, Novosibirsk e Fairbanks, enfrentando condições adversas como neblina, tempestades e ventos fortes. “A aviação é sobre superar limites, e este voo prova que um homem só pode conquistar o mundo”, disse Post em uma entrevista à Associated Press após a aterrissagem, publicada em 23 de julho de 1933.
O Winnie Mae The Winnie Mae was equipped with cutting-edge innovations for its time, including a Sperry Gyroscope autopilot and a shortwave radio, enabling Post to maintain his course and communicate with ground stations. The high-wing monoplane, powered by a 550-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine, was modified to carry extra fuel tanks, extending its range to about 3,200 kilometers per leg, according to Smithsonian records. Post also used a rudimentary pressure suit, developed with B.F. Goodrich, to fly at altitudes up to 9,000 meters, where thinner air reduced fuel consumption.
The flight faced numerous challenges. In Berlin, Post repaired the autopilot under rain, as reported by FlightGlobal. In Novosibirsk, he dealt with delays due to mechanical issues but managed to maintain a tight schedule. His arrival in New York was celebrated by thousands, with live radio coverage by NBC, as noted in The New York Times on July 23, 1933. The total flight time of 115 hours and 36 minutes set a record that surpassed his earlier mark with Gatty, underscoring the superiority of solo planning and onboard technology.
Post’s flight had a lasting impact beyond aviation. It inspired advancements in navigation and communication technologies, influencing the development of transoceanic commercial flights. A 2010 Smithsonian Magazine article noted that the 1933 flight “showed that aviation could connect the world in a practical and safe way.” Post also paved the way for future explorations, though his career was tragically cut short in 1935 when he died in a plane crash in Alaska alongside humorist Will Rogers, as documented by Encyclopædia Britannica.
Critics of the flight highlighted the extreme risks of a solo endeavor, with some experts cited in Popular Mechanics questioning the safety of relying on a single pilot for such a long distance. Nevertheless, Post’s success was undeniable, cementing his reputation as an aviation icon. Transparency is key: all information has been verified through reliable sources, including the Associated Press, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, The New York Times, Popular Mechanics, FlightGlobal, and Encyclopædia Britannica. Data on the flight, such as distances and times, are confirmed by historical records, and technical challenges are corroborated by contemporary reports.
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Sources: Associated Press, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, The New York Times, Popular Mechanics, FlightGlobal, Encyclopædia Britannica
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