Image Credentials: Image Title: Today in History, June 17: First Aerial Crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: June 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle
On 17 June 1922, Portuguese aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral completed the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean, reaching Rio de Janeiro after a pioneering journey that demonstrated the future of long-distance air navigation. Their achievement marked a milestone in the history of aviation and showcased Portugal’s enduring maritime and exploratory tradition in the age of flight.
The expedition began on 30 March 1922 in Lisbon as part of the celebrations marking the centenary of Brazil’s independence. Flying a Fairey III D seaplane christened Lusitânia, the pair intended to connect Europe and South America entirely by air. The route took them through Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and São Vicente in Cape Verde before the most challenging stage, the vast Atlantic crossing toward the Brazilian archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.
The journey was far from straightforward. The original aircraft was lost after a forced landing at sea caused by engine trouble, and a second replacement aircraft was also damaged before the mission could continue. Undeterred, the Portuguese government supplied a third aircraft, named Santa Cruz, allowing the aviators to resume their voyage. Their determination and resilience captured international attention and turned the expedition into a symbol of innovation and perseverance.
What truly distinguished the flight was the use of revolutionary navigation techniques developed by Gago Coutinho, a naval officer, geographer, and inventor. He adapted the marine sextant for aviation by incorporating an artificial horizon, enabling accurate celestial navigation even when the horizon itself was not visible. Combined with a specially designed course corrector, these instruments allowed the crew to maintain precise positioning over thousands of kilometres of open ocean, proving that reliable transoceanic air travel was feasible.
After covering approximately 8,300 kilometres (5,160 miles), Coutinho and Cabral arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 17 June 1922, where they were greeted by jubilant crowds and official celebrations. Their accomplishment preceded many of the great intercontinental flights of the twentieth century and provided valuable practical knowledge that would influence the development of modern air navigation.
The first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic remains one of Portugal’s greatest contributions to aviation history. More than a daring adventure, it was a scientific and technological triumph that bridged continents and demonstrated that the skies could become the next great route linking nations, much as the oceans had done during the Age of Discovery.