Length: Four to five pages, NOT counting photos/images (at least one image representing each event is
required; see “Photos/Images:” paragraph, below).
Subject: Write about the three aviation events and/or developments that you believe are the most historically
significant in aviation history (see “Excluded Events:” paragraph, below). Justify your choices!
Excluded Events: Any aspect of the Wright Brothers’ (Wilbur & Orville Wrights’) work is ineligible,
including their work in developing, designing, or building gliders, powered airplanes, propellers, an engine, or
a wind tunnel. The Wright Brothers are “off limits” and ineligible for your paper.
Aircraft Information: If you choose to write about the development of an aircraft, it may be any type of
aerial craft (commercial transport, general aviation, military, spacecraft, lighter-than-air, glider, rocket,
helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle/drone, etc.), but it must be an aircraft that was built and flew at least
one time. Aircraft that never went beyond conceptual/mockup stage (e.g., Boeing 2707 SST, Boeing Sonic
Cruiser) are ineligible. The Wright Brothers’ gliders & powered aircraft are “off limits” and ineligible
for your paper.
Photos/Images: Include at least three images (photographs, illustrations, etc.) that represent your
chosen events or developments (at least one image per event/development). Pages of photographs,
illustrations, etc. do NOT count in the required number of pages for your paper.
Grade: Provide a reasoned argument/rationale for why the events or developments you chose are the
three most important in aviation history. Special Note: The course instructor is NOT looking for a paper
that just cites statistics (e.g., number of aircraft produced, top speed, maximum altitude, maximum gross weight, maximum payload, length/wingspan/height, etc.). The instructor is looking for your reasoned
argument/rationale for why your three events/developments are important. Justify your choices!
