Erich Warsitz († 12 July 1983) was a German test pilot of the 1930s. He held the rank of Flight-Captain in the Luftwaffe and was the chief test pilot selected by the Heinkel firm. He is remembered as the first person to fly an aircraft under liquid-fuelled rocket power (the Heinkel He 176 on June 20, 1939) and also the first to fly an aircraft under turbojet power (the Heinkel He 178 on August 27 the same year). he was a brave and courageous man who risked his life and on that flight did not wear a seat belt! July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Test pilots are aviators who fly new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated. ... The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known in Europe as the World Depression. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Heinkel Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturing company founded by and named after Ernst Heinkel. ... A Soyuz rocket, at Baikanur launch pad. ... The Heinkel He 176 was the world’s first aircraft to be propelled solely by a liquid-fuelled rocket, making its first powered flight on July 20, 1939 with Erich Warsitz at the controls. ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Turbojets are the simplest and oldest kind of general purpose jet engine. ... The Heinkel He 178 was the worlds first aircraft to fly under turbojet power, and the first practical jet plane. ... August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining. ...