Cantwell Statement on 75th Anniversary of First Nonstop Transpolar Flight Landing in Vancouver

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the first nonstop transpolar flight. Russian pilot Valery Chkalov, his co-pilot Georgy Baidukov and navigator Alexander Belyakov took off from an airfield near Moscow and landed at Pearson Field on June 20, 1937.

“When three Russian airmen landed at Pearson Field 75 years ago today, it further cemented Vancouver’s role in the history of flight,” said Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee. “Today we honor Southwest Washington’s place in aviation history, while moving forward towards an even brighter future. As our state’s aerospace industry grows, we must continue to invest in skills and training for a new generation of jobs.

“I look forward to building on our efforts to maximize the opportunity for aerospace job growth in Southwest Washington,” Cantwell added. “As we look back and celebrate this moment, we are all excited to see what lies ahead for aviation in Southwest Washington.”

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