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In 1929, Spaatz and Eaker stayed aloft about 150 hours in the Question Mark to show off what?

Aerial refueling, getting fuel from another plane in flight.

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  1. The first jet engine
  2. Refueling from another plane in flight ✔
  3. Flying with no pilot

Why: Army fliers including Carl Spaatz and Ira Eaker kept the Question Mark flying for nearly a week. Other planes passed fuel to them in the air. It set an endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes.

Huh, didn't know that: Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, and CAP's top cadet award is named for him.

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Why did the Question Mark stay up so long? It never found the answer to landing.
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References

Answer: Refueling from another plane in flight. Army fliers including Carl Spaatz and Ira Eaker kept the Question Mark flying for nearly a week. Other planes passed fuel to them in the air. It set an endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes.

  1. CAP Spaatz Award page www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/stripes-to-diamonds/spaatz-award
    in 1929 Spaatz, together with a crew that included Ira C. Eaker, set an important flight endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. CAP Eaker Award page www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/stripes-to-diamonds/eaker
    to demonstrate a newfound capability of aerial refueling
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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