SEATTLE, March 12, 2024—On March 23 at 2 p.m., aviation historians LaVerne Woods and Dave Zobel look at the world of Eugene Ely, the legendary pioneer pilot whose demonstrations of the potential of military aviation 100 years ago ultimately pointed the way to today’s modern aircraft carrier. Woods and Zobel will illuminate his amazing life as chronicled in the book by John Zobel, Eugene Ely: Pioneer of Naval Aviation.

Museum Docents who are Navy veterans will present three short programs about aircraft carrier history laced with their own experiences on the flight deck. All of the programs are free for Museum Members and included with general admission.

Docent/Navy Veteran Talks

11 a.m. – The Evolution of the Aircraft Carrier (45 min)

Navy veteran and Museum Docent Dave Cable will discuss the various versions of aircraft carriers over the years and how carrier aviation has changed from the earliest days.

12:30 p.m. – Landing on a Postage Stamp: Carrier Operations and Flight Protocol (30 min)

Navy veteran and Museum Docent Jim Frank will give an overview of aircraft carrier operations and a detailed description of departure and landing procedures for carrier pilots.

3:45 p.m. – The USS Nimitz: Her Beginning (30 min)

Navy veteran and Museum Docent Jeff Culver will discuss flight deck operations, training programs for the first international mission of the USS Nimitz, and joint operations with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in the 1970s

Eugene Ely

The story of Eugene Ely’s life is the stuff of myth and legend. Much of what has been written about him relies on sensationalized newspaper accounts from an era when early twentieth century reporters unabashedly fabricated stories to increase newspaper circulation. Those accounts portray Ely as a reckless daredevil and are essentially historical fiction. The facts now tell a story of a quiet, self-effacing Iowan who did extraordinary things. Ely’s measured approach and calculated demonstrations of the potential of military aviation ultimately pointed the way to today’s modern aircraft carriers, over a century later.

Image: Aviator Eugene Ely circa 1911. Public domain.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Ted Huetter/Senior Public Relations Manager
T: 206.768.7105 C: 206.455.5360 Email: thuetter@museumofflight.org