What comes to mind when you think of Los Angeles – and California in particular? You might say celebrities with dazzling smiles and plastic bodies, but there’s much more to California and LA than beach-perfect physiques and perma-tans.

California’s played a huge role in helping to shape modern air travel – and not just commercially. From hosting the world’s first flight school to building the rockets which put us on the moon in 1969, California’s played a huge role in progressing aerospace and military aviation.

Here’s a look at how California’s made flying what it is today – starting way back in 1910, when the first aviation meet took place at the Dominguez Airfield.

California’s contributions to the history of aviation – Air New Zealand UK