The maiden flight, also known as first flight, of an
aircraft is the first occasion on which it leaves the ground under its own power. The same term is also used for the first launch of
rockets.
The maiden flight of a new aircraft type is always a historic occasion for the type and can be quite emotional for those involved. In the early days of
aviation it could be dangerous, because the exact
handling characteristics of the aircraft were generally unknown. The maiden flight of a new type is almost invariably flown by a highly experienced
test pilot. Maiden flights are usually accompanied by a
chase plane, to verify items like
altitude,
airspeed, and general
airworthiness.
A maiden 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 maiden flights (aircraft)
An incomplete list of maiden flights of notable aircraft types, organized by date, follows.
October 23, 1906 –
Alberto Santos-Dumont14-bis made a manned powered flight in Bagatelle Park, Paris, France, that was the first to be publicly witnessed by a crowd.[2]
July 4, 1908 –
Glenn Curtiss flew the first pre-announced public flight in the United States of America of a heavier-than-air flying machine. He flew 5,080 feet, to win the
Scientific American Trophy and its $2,500 purse (equivalent to $81,000 in 2022).
December 14, 2022 –
Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma – a single-engine, low-observable, carrier-capable, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle.
Notable maiden flights (rockets)
October 3, 1942 –
V-2 Rocket made its first successful test flight. The nose cone crossed the
Karman line, widely considered the end of Earth's atmosphere, making it the first human-made object to reach space.