Meet Gen. Chuck Yeager Chairman Emeritus

He is one of the most famous pilots in the world. He’s flown more than 300 different types of airplanes and has more than 10,000 hours of flight time in his logbook. Yet, he still enjoys flying. Whether it is the powerful P-51 Mustang or the slow and stately Ford Tri-Motor, Brig. Gen Charles “Chuck” Yeager is at home in the sky.

Gen. Yeager currently serves as Chairman Emeritus for the EAA Young eagles program. He served as Chairman from 1994 – 2003.

Under the General’s leadership, EAA members flew more than 1 million Young Eagles, the initial goal set by the program to coincide with the 100^th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight, December 17, 2003. He led more than 85,000 volunteers, including 35,000 pilots in reaching this monumental mark. Along the way, many young people have been inspired to pursue aviation careers.

Aside form his work with EAA’s Young Eagles, the General is involved in several other charitable causes and spends time making public appearances and speeches; raising donations for his non-profit Foundation and taking time to go flying.

Here’s a brief review of Gen. Yeager’s career:

1923: February 13, born in Myra, West Virginia.
1941: Enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps.
1943: Received his wings and appointment as a flight officer. Assigned as a P-39 pilot as a member of the 363rd Fighter Squadron in the Army Air Corps, then flew P-51s in combat against the Germans in WWII.
1944: Gen. Yeager was shot down during his eighth combat mission over German-occupied France. Gen. Yeager managed to escape back to England and fly 56 more combat missions, shooting down 13 German aircraft. Promoted to Captain.
1947: First man to fly faster than the speed of sound in the Bell X-1.
1952: Flew the Bell X1-A 1650 mph, becoming the first man to fly two and one-half times the speed of sound.
1954: Commanded the 417th Fighter Squadron in France.
1962: Became Commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School (now the USAF Test Pilot School) where all military astronauts were trained.
1963: Narrowly escaped death when the aircraft he was testing, the NF-104 rocket-augmented aerospace trainer, went out of control at an altitude of 108,700 feet. He parachuted to safety at 8,500 feet, making him the first pilot to make an emergency ejection in the full pressure suit needed for high altitude flights.
1966: Assumed command of the 405th Fighter Wing and flew 127 missions in the Vietnam War.
1969: Became the Vice Commander, 7th Air Force and was promoted to Brigadier General.
1973: Elected to the Aviation Hall of Fame.
1975: Retired from active duty in the US Air Force.
1976: Presented with the peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor.
1985: Presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1994 – 2003: Chairman of EAA's Young Eagle
1995: Presented with EAA's Freedom of Flight Award.
2004: Named EAA Young Eagles Chairman Emeritus. General Yeager continues to fly and has flown more than 270 Young Eagles.

The General has written two books. The first is called “Yeager: An Autobiography” (Bantam Books, 1986 ISBN 0-553-256742) and “Press on! Further Adventures in the Good Life” (Bantam Doubleday Dell Pub, 1988 ISBN 0-553-053337). Both are currently out of print, but are available in many libraries or through used bookstores.

Learn More:

General Chuck Yeager’s Official Web Site
Gen. Yeager’s Official Biography

Capt. Yeager and the famous Bell X-1.

Gen. Yeager is a frequent participant at the annual EAA AirVenture Fly-In Convention held each summer in Oshkosh, Wis.

Gen. Yeager and EAA’s highest honor, the Freedom of Flight award.

Gen. Yeager and a replica of the Bell X-1 he flew to become the first man to fly faster than the speed of
sound on October 14, 1947. This photo was taken in 1997, on the 50^th anniversary of that historic flight.

Gen. Yeager speaking to an audience about the EAA Young eagles program in 2003. He has flown more than 270 Young Eagles himself in a variety of aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, a T-34 Mentor, a DC-3 and a Ford Tri-Motor.