How Wiley Post Flew Around the World Alone
On July 22, 1933, a daring aviator named Wiley Post made history. Flying a sleek white and purple airplane nicknamed the Winnie Mae, Post touched down in New York after traveling entirely around the globe by himself. He had completed the journey in just under eight days, setting a brand-new world record. While Post was celebrated for his courage and endurance, his historic journey was also a triumph of modern engineering. To survive the exhausting flight across oceans, mountains, and stormy skies, Post relied on two groundbreaking instruments: the mechanical autopilot and the radio direction finder.
Flying an airplane in the 1930s demanded constant physical effort. Pilots had to keep their hands and feet on the controls at all times to keep the wings level and the nose pointed in the right direction. Because Post was flying solo, he had no copilot to take over when he needed to eat, check maps, or rest his weary eyes. Lack of sleep posed a deadly threat, as a tired pilot could easily lose control of the plane.
- aviator:
- A person who flies or navigates an airplane; a pilot.
- endurance:
- The ability to withstand hardship, stress, or tiredness over a long period.
- autopilot:
- A mechanical or electronic system that automatically steers an aircraft.
- gyroscopes:
- Devices with spinning wheels that stay balanced and resist turning, used to detect movement.
- hydraulic:
- Operated by the pressure of moving liquid in pipes.
- autonomous:
- Acting independently or having the power to operate without direct human control.
- turbulence:
- Violent, irregular, or bumpy movements of air.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What two innovative instruments helped Wiley Post survive his solo flight around the world?
- 2Why was lack of sleep particularly dangerous for an airplane pilot in the 1930s?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“How Wiley Post Flew Around the World Alone” is a explanatory article reading passage about Wiley Post's 1933 Solo Flight, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (587 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.