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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cadet-eaker-aerial-refueling

In 1929, Ira Eaker and Carl Spaatz stayed aloft nearly a week in the 'Question Mark' to show off what?

Aerial refueling.

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  1. Aerial refueling ✔
  2. The jet engine
  3. Radar

Why: Other planes passed fuel to the Question Mark in flight, so it never had to land. That proved aircraft could refuel in the air and fly much longer.

Huh, didn't know that: The Air Force's top school for commanders, the Ira C. Eaker Center, is named for him.

The dad joke
Why did the Question Mark stay up so long? It never ran out of questions, or fuel.
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References

Answer: Aerial refueling. Other planes passed fuel to the Question Mark in flight, so it never had to land. That proved aircraft could refuel in the air and fly much longer.

  1. Cadet achievement page: Eaker Award (Civil Air Patrol) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/stripes-to-diamonds/eaker
    for nearly a week, to demonstrate a newfound capability of aerial refueling.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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Test yourself in the game

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