August 1 - An Aeronautical Division is formed in the U.S. Army Signal Corps to oversee "all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines, and all kindred subjects".
November 13 - first piloted free flight in a rotary-wing aircraft by Paul Cornu at Lisieux. This first flight lifted Cornu about 30 cm (1 ft) and lasted 20 seconds. Sometimes recognized as first impractical helicopter flight.
December 6 - AEA Cygnet, first manned flight of this tethered glider (also referred to as a kite) designed by Alexander Graham Bell. Flight was also first flight for Thomas Selfridge, who would die a year later as the first person killed in the crash of a powered aircraft.