On 22 July 1933, American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world, finishing the journey in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes.
Post landed at Floyd Bennett Field in New York after travelling approximately 15,596 miles (25,100 kilometres), becoming the first person to circle the globe alone by air. His achievement marked a major milestone in aviation history and demonstrated the possibilities of long-distance air travel.
A groundbreaking aviation achievement
Post began his journey on 15 July 1933, departing from New York in his specially modified Lockheed Vega aircraft, named the “Winnie Mae”. The aircraft had been fitted with advanced equipment for the time, including an autopilot system and radio navigation technology.
The flight took him across North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific region before returning to the United States. He made several stops along the route to refuel and carry out necessary maintenance.
Breaking a previous world record
Before his solo attempt, Post had already gained international recognition. In 1931, he and navigator Harold Gatty completed a record-breaking flight around the world in just under nine days.
Two years later, Post set out to prove that the journey could be completed alone. His successful flight reduced the previous record and made him one of the most celebrated pilots of the era.
Legacy of Wiley Post’s flight
The achievement of Wiley Post helped inspire further developments in aviation, particularly in navigation, aircraft technology and long-distance flying.
Post continued to pursue aviation breakthroughs, including high-altitude flight research and experiments with pressure suits. He died in 1935, alongside American humourist Will Rogers, in a plane crash in Alaska.
His 1933 solo flight remains one of the defining moments in the history of aviation, representing a turning point in the ability of pilots to travel vast distances across the globe.
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