Photo Credit: Alan Lebeda Embraer Embraer continues to hold the favor of making the world’s best-selling light jet for 11 years running. However, Embraer began long before in August of 1969. Initially known as the Brazilian government’s "Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica," Embraer worked at producing military aircraft for its country. Embraer’s headquarters are located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo. Since the 1940s, the Brazilian government has led both its Ministry of Aeronautics and the Technological Institute [...]

Beechcraft Musketeer Sundowner 23 B-C Beechcraft Aircraft The Beech Aircraft Corporation was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1932. The company started during the Great Depression and just before World War II began. Its founder and President, Walter Beech, led operations until his unexpected death in 1950. Walter's wife, Olive Ann Beech, worked alongside him as the company's secretary and treasurer, taking over as President after his death. Olive served in her role for 18 years and was also [...]

Mooney Mark 21 M20C & Ranger M20 BCG Mooney The Mooney International Corporation was opened in 1929 by Albert Mooney and his brother Arthur in Wichita, Kansas. But when the Great Depression struck in 1930, Mooney went bankrupt. While the brothers worked other jobs, Al also worked to bring in financial bankers who could help Mooney Aircraft Incorporated. Those bankers were Charles Yankey and W. L. McMahon. Mooney's initial Mite M-18 was a single-seater aircraft designed to entice [...]

Cessna By Textron Aviation Before creating his initial aircraft, Cessna's founder Clyde V. Cessna made his first appearance at an airshow in 1911. It was there that he quickly became interested in designing and producing aircraft. With experience as a mechanic and auto salesman, Clyde put together his plane with a kit from Queens Airplane Company in the Bronx. Over time, Clyde became a pretty good pilot. In 1916, Clyde got the opportunity to use a space for [...]

Northrop Grumman American aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and industrialist Leroy Grumman established the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation on December 6, 1929. As a child, Leroy became interested in aviation, even proclaiming that the airplane would be one of the "greatest triumphs" of mankind in his salutatorian speech. Leroy moved on from high school and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 1916. He completed advanced flight training and eventually became a flight instructor. [...]

Cessna By Textron Aviation Before creating his own initial aircraft, Cessna’s founder Clyde V. Cessna made his first appearance at an airshow in 1911. It was there that he quickly became interested in designing and producing aircraft. With experience as a mechanic and auto salesman, Clyde put together his aircraft with a kit from Queens Airplane Company in the Bronx. Over time, Clyde became a fairly good pilot. In 1916, Clyde got the opportunity to use a space [...]

Piper Aircraft Originally Taylor Brothers Aircraft in 1927, Piper was established by Clarence and Gordon Taylor. After a year, Gordon Taylor died – initializing a name change to Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation. When the Great Depression hit, Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation went out of business. This caused Clarence to retreat from his aviation career. After its closure, investor William Piper stepped in to buy company assets for $761 in 1930 – equivalent to $12,335 in the 21st century. [...]

Cirrus Aircraft Beginning in 1984 with founders Alan and Dale Klapmeier, Cirrus Aircraft is one of the major players in aviation. Cirrus introduced its VK-30 at the 1987 EAA Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Alan and Dale continued with the production of its sleek design and low-drag VK-30, in addition to making aircraft kits until 1993. After the VK's exit, Cirrus created the ST-50 with a turboprop instead of a 300-horsepower Continental engine. There is no series production that [...]

Cessna By Textron Aviation Before creating his own initial aircraft, Cessna's founder Clyde V. Cessna made his first appearance at an airshow in 1911. It was there that he quickly became interested in designing and producing aircraft. With experience as a mechanic and auto salesman, Clyde put together his aircraft with a kit from Queens Airplane Company in the Bronx. Over time, Clyde became a fairly good pilot. In 1916, Clyde got the opportunity to use a space [...]

Beechcraft Aircraft Founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1932, the Beech Aircraft Corporation started during the Great Depression and just before World War II began. Founder and President Walter Beech, oversaw operations until he unexpectedly died in 1950. While Walter was alive, his wife, Olive Ann Beech, worked alongside him as Beech Aircraft’s secretary and treasurer. After her husband’s death, Olive took over as President for 18 years and served as board chairman until retiring in 1982. Beechcraft’s Model [...]