28 June 1886: The Navy tests the potential of the aircraft

28/06/15

Torricelli balloon of the aerostatic aerostatic section of the 3 ° Regiment of the Military Engineers of Florence carries out an ascent engaged in free flight on the Rome circuit (Forte Tiburtino) -Grottaferrata-Rocca di Papa with the Minister of War, Lieutenant General Cesare Ricotti on board Magnani, the minister of the navy, inspector general of the naval genius Benedetto Brin and the minister of public works, the Hon. Francesco Genola.

This ascension on the "lighter than the air" is the first opportunity for the Royal Navy to verify the potential of the aerial vehicle.

Source: Military Navy