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22 January
The de Havilland Comet I gains the first certificate of airworthiness
for a turbojet-powered aircraft.
26 January
Following rioting, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) withdraws
its services to and through Cairo. Handley Page Hermes services to East
Africa are re-routed.
6-7 February
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh fly from Entebbe airport
in Uganda to London airport in the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Canadair airliner Atlanta.
31 March
The British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) makes its first overall
profit in the financial year of 1951-1952.
3 April
A statement on metal fatigue in aircraft is issued by the Ministry of
Transport and Civil Aviation.
11 April
The Ministry of Civil Aviation imposes a charge of five shillings for
each passenger leaving a British State airport from 1 May.
2 May
A
jet airliner service is inaugurated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation
(BOAC), with a de Havilland Comet flying between London and Johannesburg.
23 May
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret make a flight from
Hatfield over France, Switzerland, Italy and Corsica in a de Havilland
Comet jet airliner piloted by Group Captain John Cunningham.
29 June
A Gloster Javelin twin-jet fighter crashes when landing at Boscombe Down
airfield.
3 July
The British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) begins using the de Havilland
Comet I on London to Tokyo routes.
27 July
Part of the site previously used for the Festival of Britain is tested
as a helicopter station.
30 July
The Government decides to develop Gatwick in Surrey as an alternative
to London Heathrow airport.
11 August
The British Overseas Airways Corporation begins to operate a service from
London to Colombo in Ceylon with de Havilland Comet Is.
6 September
30 people are killed and 63 are injured, when a de Havilland DH110 fighter
breaks up during the flying display at Farnborough.
12 September
John Derry and Anthony Richards are posthumously awarded the Queen's Commendation
for services to aircraft testing.
30 September
It is announced that Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle will be first recipient
of the Churchill Gold Medal of the Society of Engineers.
14 October
The British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) begins a service to Singapore
with de Havilland Comet Is.
26 October
Accidents with de Havilland Comets lead to remedial action on the aircraft,
which includes the installation of drooped wing leading-edges.
10 December
The decision not to proceed with an extention to London airport is announced.
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