Show AIR PROGRESS IN 1931 many new records were set and numerous improved safety devices were developed to mark the progress of aeronautics during 1931 the completion and successful operation of the amen can built akron worlds largest airship with a gas capacity of cubic feet was the outstanding aircraft engineering triumph of the year the greatest altitude ever attained by man was reached by two frenchmen and kipfer who rose feet in an improved balloon france also won the airplane distance record without refueling miles made by leonx and doret flying in a closed circuit and returning to their starting point but the longest airline nonstop non stop distance flight miles from brooklyn to istanbul turkey was made by two americans boardman and the longest duration flight without refueling 84 hours and 32 minutes returning to the point of departure was also made by two americans lees and brossy among the new records for women made during the year were the following mm maryse bastie of france longest time in the air without refueling 37 hours and 55 minutes misses bobby trout and edna cooper americans made a record refueling flight of hours three world records were made by miss ruth nichols of rye N Y an altitude record of feet a speed record of miles an hour and an airplane distance record of 1978 miles |