3 November 1897 (Germany) — The first all-metal rigid airship is tested in Germany. It uses wafer-thin aluminum, a major innovation, but crashes soon after taking off.

3 November 1926 (USA) — Captain Charles Lindbergh jumps from his disabled airplane during a night airmail flight. This is the fourth time he has had to use his parachute to save his life.

3 November 1949 (USA) — Charles Moore makes the first manned flight in a polyethylene balloon over Minneapolis, Minnesota.

3 November 1949 (USA) — American Aviation Daily reports that United States Air Force fiscal 1950 cargo aircraft procurement to be concentrated in three plane types: Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter and Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar; Bomber purchases will be Boeing B-47 Stratojet and Convair B-36 Peacemakers; while two fighters will be North American F-86 Sabres and Lockheed F-94 Starfires.

3 November 1959 (USA) — A Douglas C-133A Cargomaster made the first airlift delivery of an Atlas intercontinental missile.

3 November 1961 (USA) — CAB Chairman Alan Boyd warns trunk lines to merge or face the consequences.