This Day in Aviation History
September 23rd, 1931
A Pitcairn XOP-1 autogyro conducted tests aboard the USS Langley (CV-1).

September 1931, the Pitcairn XOP-1 autogiro was procured by the Navy for trial purposes.  As a rotary wing aircraft, the Navy was interested in the aircraft’s ability to land and takeoff within in short space.  So the Navy conducted tests aboard the aircraft carrier Langley (CV-1).

On September 23, 1931, Lieutenant A.M. Pride, flew the Navy’s first rotary wing aircraft, both with landings and takeoffs from the Langley, while the flattop was underway….

Source:
Army Aviation Mag, Rotary Wing First for the Navy and Marines: http://gstv.us/1KywvJs

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