First emergency parachute landing by the Air Force

15 May 1930

Flying Officer W.G. (‘Gordon’) Rae became the first Air Force member to save their life in a mid-air emergency by using a parachute. Following a wing failure during an inverted loop, Rae jumped from a plummeting Bristol Bulldog biplane at about 2000 feet and safely landed by parachute.  

Related base

  • RAAF Base Point Cook

Related aircraft

  • Bristol Bulldog Biplane