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Edwards Air Force Base - October 14, 2005 – Without knowing if the human body or his aircraft could withstand the feat, aviation legend and former Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program, Brig. Gen. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound 58 years ago on October 14, 1947.
After having flown 64 combat missions in World War II, Gen. Yeager, then still a Captain, continued to serve the US Air Force as a flight instructor and test pilot. He was assigned to test the rocket-powered Bell X-1 aircraft. It was in the X-1 that he made his history-making flight.
Gen. Yeager made his first flights in the X-1 on August 6, 1947. These were non-powered or glide flights testing the aircraft’s handling. On August 29, he reached Mach 0.85 while making the first powered flight. Throughout the next six weeks, Gen. Yeager drew closer to reaching the goal of Mach 1, or the speed of sound. He reached Mach 0.997 on October 10, and on October 14, 1947, Gen. Yeager and the Bell X-1 reached Mach 1.06. At 43,000 feet, he became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound.
The flight wasn't without obstacles however. The previous day, Gen. Yeager broke two ribs in a horse riding accident. However, he managed to put the pain aside to continue on with his mission. Many experts also believed there was a “sound barrier” that would destroy any airplane trying to fly through it.
Because the X-1 had a limited fuel supply, it was carried aloft under a modified B-29 “Superfortress.” After climbing to an altitude of 23,000 feet, Gen. Yeager climbed into the X-1. Once all the proper procedures and precautions had been completed, the X-1 was dropped from the B-29.
After being dropped, Gen. Yeager, who had been instructed not to push the X-1 beyond .96 Mach if he didn't think the X-1 could handle it, began firing the four rocket motors in sequence. With the full 6,000 pounds of thrust behind it, the X-1 instantly accelerated. For a moment the Mach meter (used to read the airspeed) paused at .965 Mach and then jumped to 1.06. Gen. Yeager had done it!
Two hours after the flight, all data from the flight was classified as Top Secret. It wasn’t until March of 1948 that the U.S. Air Force officially confirmed the flight to the public.
Following the X-1’s record-breaking flight, the Air Force used it to continue to gather data on stability and control, wing and tail loading, high-altitude flight, and pilot familiarization. Gen. Yeager and the X-1 made a final flight on May 12, 1950, before the aircraft was retired to the Smithsonian Institute. It now hangs in the “Milestones of Flight Gallery,” with the Wright Flyer, Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis; and SpaceShipOne.
In 1952, Gen. Yeager again set a world speed record flying 1,650 mph, more than double the speed of sound.
Gen. Yeager continued to serve in the Air Force and has won many awards, not only for this flight, but also for his incredible service to the country.
In 1994, Gen. Yeager became the Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program and helped guide the program to its initial goal of flying 1 million Young Eagles in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight in 2003. He continues to serve the program as Young Eagles Chairman Emeritus.
Gen. Yeager’s record-setting flights have inspired aviation enthusiasts to push the boundaries of flight and technology throughout the years. Gen. Yeager continues to inspire people through his lectures and his books. 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.
Gen. Yeager continues to fly today and will be the featured guest at the Edwards Air Force Base Open House, October 22 – 23.
About the Bell X-1
- Wingspan: 8.5 m (28 ft)
- Length: 9.4 m (30 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
- Weight, gross: 5,557 kg (12,250 lb)
- Engine: Reaction Motors, Inc., XLR-11-RM-3 (model A6000C4) 4-chamber rocket engine, rated at 26,500 newtons (6,000 lb) static thrust
- Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft Co., Buffalo, N.Y., 1946
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Capt. Chuck Yeager poses in from of the Bell X-1 aircraft he flew faster than the speed of sound on October 14, 1947. The airplane is nicknames “Glamorous Glennis” after his first wife.
The B-29 “Superfortress” and the X-1 climbing for altitude. Because the X-1 has a limited fuel supply, it was necessary to carry it aloft under the B-29. Once at altitude, the X-1 was dropped from under the B-29 and then fired its engines.
The Bell X-1 with Chuck Yeager at the controls begins it flight into the history books
The Bell X-1 now resides in the Milestones of Flight Gallery at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Its pilot, Gen. Chuck Yeager continues to fly a variety of airplanes today.
Learn More:
General Chuck Yeager’s Official Web Site
Gen. Yeager, Young Eagles Chairman Emeritus
Gen. Yeager’s Official Biography
See the Airplanes Gen. Yeager Flew
Edwards Open House and Air Show
- Edwards Air Force Base, October 22 and 23
- Gates open at 7 a.m., flying starts at 10 a.m., and it closes at 4:30 p.m.
- Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager will be flying a P-51 “Mustang” alongside an F/A-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
- Admission is FREE
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