1917 in aviation

January
January 27 - French air-raid on Freiburg

February
No. 100 Squadron RFC, the first British night fighter squadron is formed.

April
Known as Bloody April. The Royal Flying Corps, while supporting the Arras offensive, loses 245 aircraft -- 140 in the first two weeks -- out of an initial strength of 365. Aircrew casualties are 211 killed or missing and 108 prisoners of war.
April 6 - the United States declares war on Germany

May
May 7 - British ace Major Edward Mannock claims his first kill.

May 7 - British ace Captain Albert Ball (44 victories) is killed in a crash following a dogfight with Lothar von Richthofen, who also crashes but survives.

May 9 - French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.

May 19 - United States "star in a circle" national insignia adopted

May 20 - German submarine U-36 is sunk by an RNAS flying boat

May 25 - a mass air-raid by 21 Gotha G.V bombers attacks Kent.

June
June 13 - 14 Gotha bombers make the most destructive air-raid on London of the war. Attacking in daylight, 162 people are killed and 432 wounded.

August
August 2 - A Sopwith Pup flown by Sqn Cdr Edwin Dunning becomes the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious.

August 7 - Dunning is killed on his third landing when the Pup falls over the side of the ship.

September
September 3 - The US 1st Aero Squadron arrives in France

September 11 - French ace Capitaine Georges Guynemer goes missing in action. Kurt Wisserman of Jasta 3 is credited with shooting him down, but his body is never found.

September 26 - for the second time, French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.

November
November 20 - the Battle of Cambrai (1917) begins

November 21-24 - the Zeppelin L 59 (LZ104) makes a 6,757 km journey through Africa in 96 hours (average speed 71 km/h).

First flights

January
Sopwith Camel flown by Harry Hawker

February
Junkers J.4

April
April 4 - SPAD S.XIII

June
Sopwith Cuckoo
Jun 22 - Port Victoria P.V.7

September
September 7 - Port Victoria P.V.8

September 14 - Fairey III

October
October 15 - Alcock Scout

November
November 30 - Vickers Vimy

Entered service

January
Airco DH.4 with No. 55 Squadron RFC

February
Sopwith Triplane with No.1 (Naval) Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service

March
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 with No. 56 Squadron RFC.

April
Bristol F.2A with No. 48 Squadron RFC

June
Sopwith Camel