Profile of the Day: Wiley Post

Wiley Post

Do you have aviators in your family tree? On this day in 1933, aviator Wiley Post became the first person to fly solo around the world. He accomplished this feat in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes.

Post was instantly recognizable by the patch he wore over his left eye, which he injured in an oil field accident. Today, he is remembered for making the first major practical advances in pressurized flight. In 1934, Post began exploring the limits of high altitude long-distance flight. The cabin of his plane, the “Winnie Mae,” could not be pressurized, so he worked with Russell S. Colley to develop what became the world’s first practical pressure suit. Eventually, he flew as high as 50,000 feet and is credited with discovering the jet stream.

On August 15, 1935, Post and his good friend, humorist Will Rogers, were killed in a plane crash as he was attempting to fly across the North Pole to the USSR.

Wiley Post is connected to over 78 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. Explore his family tree to discover how you’re related to the famous aviator.

View Wiley Post’s Geni Profile