The world's first jet pilot

[Guest warsitz]

Dear Aviation & History Enthusiasts,

 

My father - Flight Captain Erich Warsitz - is remembered as the first person to fly an aircraft under turbojet power, the Heinkel He 178, on August 27, 1939 and also the first to fly an aircraft under liquid-fueled rocket power, the Heinkel He 176, on June 20 the same year, setting two milestones in aviation history.

 

Late in 1936 he was seconded by the RLM (Reich Air Ministry) to Wernher von Braun and Ernst Heinkel, because he had been recognized as one of the most experienced test-pilots of the time, and because he also had an extraordinary fund of technical knowledge. Little is known of this pioneer period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole project!

 

You will find a lot of information about Erich Warsitz and his achievements under [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Warsitz]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Warsitz[/ame] . There is also a video of the He 178 with audio commentary by my father, inclusive written translation in English, under http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFirstJetPilot#p/u/3/nneZgRkpskU .

 

It's a little unfortunate that the He 178 quite often doesn't get the recognition it deserves. After all, every other turbine propelled aircraft that has graced or is now gracing our skies has, at best, come second place to it.

 

Fly save,

 

Lutz Warsitz

 

 

[sixtiesrelic]

It's interesting how at the time it's not seen as historical but more 'at last she DOES work'.

 

I like the fact that it was filmed and not lost to then later generations who find it interesting.

 

Thanks Lutz.

 

Do you fly yourself? Always a bit daunting to follow a father who really made it.

 

 

[Warrior]

It's great to see this film Lutz. Please keep up the effort to get proper public recognition, because the 20 th Century saw so much advancement in the technique of air travel.

 

I study ancient civilizations, and find that so much of history gets buried or distorted, and example being how the Egyptians developed skills almost overnight, then lost them within a few hundred years.

 

 

[Guest warsitz]

Many thanks for your kind interest in father's aviation career!

 

No, personally I do not fly, but my brother does and I go with him every time I can:

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFirstJetPilot#p/a/u/0/6WF73ATu2q4

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFirstJetPilot#p/a/u/2/zCMmUhi9gfw

 

Best wishes,

 

Lutz