On May 6, 1896, Samuel Pierpont Langley achieved the “world’s first successful flight of an unpiloted, engine-driven, heavier-than-air craft of substantial size” above the waters of the Potomac River in Stafford County, Virginia. After being catapulted off a specially designed houseboat, Langley’s Aerodrome No. 5 flew 3,300 feet in 90 seconds before gently coming to rest in the water. On November 28, 1896, Langley launched Aerodrome No. 6 from the same location for a flight totaling 4,200 feet at an average speed of 30 miles per hour.

Ideal Aviation is a full service interior and exterior cleaning and detailing company. They will provide services for small aircraft through Jets. They can be scheduled in advance for aircraft temporarily at Stafford or for aircraft in hangars or in for maintenance. Ideal Aviation is insured and authorized to work on the airport. All work is meticulously done by hand.

Helmet & Goggles offers flights over historic scenic Virginia in a fully restored WWII open-cockpit Strearman biplane! Their pilots have over 27,000 hours of experience combined and can answer any and all questions during the flight.

Stafford Airport is pleased to host the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1099. This local chapter normally offers Young Eagles flights several times per year as well as monthly meetings at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. The meeting location is the airport’s conference room with an entrance around the left side of the terminal building opposite the pavilion. Interested persons should visit their web site for additional information.