On April 30, 1911, the aviation world was buzzing with excitement as the deadline approached for the first Pommery Cup prize, worth 7,500 francs. The competition required pilots to fly the greatest distance in a straight line between sunrise and sunset. Five aviators—Bobba, Molla, Pierre Marie, de Laët, and Conneau—took to the skies on this final day, hoping to beat the leading distance set by French pilot Jules Védrines. Védrines had set a high bar by flying from Paris to Guéret, covering 350 kilometers. Despite their efforts, none of the five contenders managed to surpass his record. Conneau suffered a capsize, while Molla crashed heavily. The competition was fierce, but Védrines remained the favorite for the final victory. This event is a fascinating glimpse into the early days of aviation, when records were set with rudimentary aircraft and navigation relied on visual landmarks. For ATPL and ATC students, understanding the evolution of aviation from these pioneering flights to modern procedures highlights the importance of precision, planning, and safety—principles that remain central to aviation today. The Pommery Cup continued with a second prize deadline on July 31, 1911, keeping the competitive spirit alive. This historical context enriches the appreciation of how far aviation has come, from simple straight-line distance records to complex global navigation systems.