PROFILE AMERICA

July 2, 2008

Key Aviation Figures

Wednesday, July 2nd. This date has seen momentous events in the lives of two of the nation’s most famous aviators. On this day six years ago, Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo around the world nonstop in a balloon after five unsuccessful attempts. The holder of many records, Fossett disappeared last September on a routine flight in rugged country in Nevada.

And on this date in 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific during one of the final legs of her attempted round the world flight at the equator. In each case, huge search efforts turned up no trace of the pioneering fliers.

Since 2000, general aviation has seen between 300 and 350 fatal accidents a year, resulting in about 600 deaths.

You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.