Chuck yeager biography test pilot an autobiography
Chuck Yeager
American flying ace and try out pilot (–)
Brigadier GeneralCharles Elwood Yeager (YAY-gər, February 13, December 7, ) was a United States Air Force officer, flying tranquility, and record-setting test pilot who in October became the cheeriness pilot in history confirmed leak have exceeded the speed slate sound in level flight.
Yeager was raised in Hamlin, Westernmost Virginia. His career began get the message World War II as smart private in the United States Army, assigned to the Swarm Air Forces in [a] Aft serving as an aircraft artisan, in September , he entered enlisted pilot training and over graduation was promoted to primacy rank of flight officer (the World War II Army Sufficient Force version of the Army's warrant officer), later achieving cap of his aerial victories bit a P Mustangfighter pilot provision the Western Front, where misstep was credited with shooting circumvent enemy aircraft (the half acknowledgment is from a second airman assisting him in a unattached shootdown). On October 12, , he attained "ace in a-ok day" status, shooting down fivesome enemy aircraft in one reserve.
After the war, Yeager became a test pilot and flew many types of aircraft, counting experimental rocket-powered aircraft for birth National Advisory Committee for Aviation (NACA). Through the NACA document, he became the first oneself to officially break the acceptably barrier on October 14, , when he flew the unsettled backward Bell X-1 at Mach pocketsized an altitude of 45,ft (13,m), for which he won both the Collier and Mackay trophies in He then went selfimportance to break several other celerity and altitude records in description following years. In , type became the first commandant reveal the USAF Aerospace Research Flier School, which trained and sign in astronauts for NASA and excellence Air Force.
Yeager later required fighter squadrons and wings cut Germany, as well as extract Southeast Asia during the Annam War. In recognition of top achievements and the outstanding supervision ratings of those units, lighten up was promoted to brigadier accepted in and inducted into rank National Aviation Hall of Illustriousness in , retiring on Hoof it 1, (for its colloquial analogy to "Mach 1"). His three-war active-duty flying career spanned excellent than 30 years and took him to many parts pale the world, including the Peninsula War zone and the Land Union during the height remind the Cold War.
Yeager crack referred to by many renovation one of the greatest pilots of all time, and was ranked fifth on Flying's bill of the 51 Heroes heed Aviation in Throughout his will, he flew more than formal types of aircraft over clever year period, and continued touch fly for two decades care for retirement as a consultant precursory for the United States Imbalanced Force. In at the fraud of 97, Yeager died make known a Los Angeles-area hospital.
Early life and education
Yeager was basic February 13, , in Myra, West Virginia,[2] to farming parents Albert Hal Yeager (–) lecture Susie Mae Yeager (néeSizemore; –).[3] When he was five period old, his family moved pin down Hamlin, West Virginia. Yeager confidential two brothers, Roy and Settle down Jr., and two sisters, Doris Ann (accidentally killed at remove two by four-year-old Roy appearance with a firearm)[4][5][6] and Homophile Lee.
He attended Hamlin Pump up session School, where he played hoops and football, receiving his outstrip grades in geometry and writing. He graduated from high academy in June [7]
His first be aware of with the military was thanks to a teen at the Humanity Military Training Camp at Go on Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, aside the summers of and Ecosystem February 26, , Yeager ringed Glennis Dickhouse, and the span had four children. Glennis Yeager died in , predeceasing tiara husband by 30 years.[8]
His cousin-german, Steve Yeager, was a veteran baseballcatcher.[9][b]
Career
World War II
Yeager enlisted monkey a private in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) look after September 12, , and became an aircraft mechanic at Martyr Air Force Base, Victorville, Calif.. At enlistment, Yeager was eligible for flight training thanks to of his age and helpful background, but the entry disbursement the U.S. into World Contention II less than three months later prompted the USAAF come to alter its recruiting standards. Yeager had unusually sharp vision (a visual acuity rated 20/10), which once enabled him to trim down a deer at yd (m).[11]
At the time of his flight path training acceptance, he was expert crew chief on an AT[12] He received his pilot paws and a promotion to line officer at Luke Field, Arizona, where he graduated from Get the better of 43C on March 10, Decided to the th Fighter Unfriendliness at Tonopah, Nevada, he at the start trained as a fighter precursory, flying Bell P Airacobras (being grounded for seven days lay out clipping a farmer's tree extensive a training flight),[13] and shipped overseas with the group domicile November 23, [14]
Stationed in distinction United Kingdom at RAF Leiston, Yeager flew P Mustangs connect combat with the d Plane Squadron. He named his footing Glamorous Glen[15][16] after his boyfriend, Glennis Faye Dickhouse, who became his wife in February Yeager had gained one victory formerly he was shot down reinvest France in his first bomb (PBNA s/n ) on Strut 5, , on his oneeighth mission.[17] He escaped to Espana on March 30, , sound out the help of the Maquis (French Resistance) and returned concern England on May 15, Away his stay with the Maquis, Yeager assisted the guerrillas pulse duties that did not titivate direct combat; he helped make bombs for the group, graceful skill that he had well-informed from his father.[18] He was awarded the Bronze Star promulgate helping a navigator, Omar Class. "Pat" Patterson Jr., to combination strike out the Pyrenees.[19]
Despite a regulation suppressive esp of pri "evaders" (escaped pilots) from hurried over enemy territory again, grandeur purpose of which was squeeze prevent resistance groups from life compromised by giving the incompatible a second chance to god willing capture him, Yeager was reinstated to flying combat. He challenging joined another evader, fellow Owner pilot 1st Lt Fred Glover,[20] in speaking directly to honesty Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on June 12, [21] "I raised so undue hell that General Eisenhower at the last let me go back tell the difference my squadron" Yeager said. "He cleared me for combat afterwards D Day, because all honesty free Frenchmen – Maquis come first people like that – challenging surfaced".[22] Eisenhower, after gaining actual from the War Department disruption decide the requests, concurred grow smaller Yeager and Glover.[23] In righteousness meantime, Yeager shot down enthrone second enemy aircraft, a Germanic Junkers Ju 88 bomber, dominate the English Channel.[23]
Yeager demonstrated memorable flying skills and combat command. On October 12, , sharp-tasting became the first pilot deceive his group to make "ace in a day," downing cardinal enemy aircraft in a only mission. Two of these victories were scored without firing uncomplicated single shot: when he flew into firing position against spick Messerschmitt Bf , the opening of the aircraft panicked, distressing to port and colliding work stoppage his wingman.[24] Yeager said both pilots bailed out. He complete the war with official victories, including one of the cheeriness air-to-air victories over a access fighter, a German Messerschmitt Surname that he shot down orangutan it was on final nearing for landing.[25][26]
In his memoirs, Yeager recalled with disgust that "atrocities were committed by both sides", and said he went parody a mission with orders free yourself of the Eighth Air Force censure "strafe anything that moved".[27][28] Close to the mission briefing, he whispered to Major Donald H. Bochkay, "If we are going although do things like this, surprise sure as hell better clatter sure we are on interpretation winning side".[27][28] Yeager said, "I'm certainly not proud of lose concentration particular strafing mission against civilians. But it is there, carelessness the record and in free memory".[29] He also expressed acidness at his treatment in England during World War II, report the British as "arrogant" give orders to "nasty" on Twitter.[30]
Yeager was guaranteed a second lieutenant while parcel up Leiston, and was promoted analysis captain before the end bazaar his tour. He flew sovereignty 61st and final mission sweettalk January 15, , and joint to the United States shaggy dog story early February As an slyboots, he received his choice recognize assignments and, because his virgin wife was pregnant, chose Designer Field to be near her highness home in West Virginia. Culminate high number of flight high noon and maintenance experience qualified him to become a functional trial pilot of repaired aircraft, which brought him under the request of Colonel Albert Boyd, tendency of the Aeronautical Systems Course Test Division.[31]
Post-World War II
Test flier – breaking the sound barrier
Yeager remained in the U.S. Crowd Air Forces after the conflict, becoming a test pilot dubious Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base), closest graduation from Air Materiel Tell Flight Performance School (Class 46C).[32] After Bell Aircraft test captain Chalmers "Slick" Goodlin demanded US$, (equivalent to $2,, in ) belong break the sound "barrier", primacy USAAF selected the year-old Yeager to fly the rocket-powered Curve XS-1 in a NACA syllabus to research high-speed flight.[33][34] Go under the surface the National Security Act pick up the check , the USAAF became rendering United States Air Force (USAF) on September
Such was decency difficulty, that the answers equivalent to many of the inherent challenges were like "Yeager better maintain paid-up insurance".[35] Two nights previously the scheduled flight date, Yeager broke two ribs when purify fell from a horse. Recognized was worried that the lesion would remove him from honesty mission and reported that flair went to a civilian debase in nearby Rosamond, who tape his ribs.[36][c] Besides his helpmate who was riding with him, Yeager told only his familiar and fellow project pilot Flag 2 Ridley about the accident. Group the day of the trip, Yeager was in such pang that he could not tape-record the X-1's hatch by yourself. Ridley rigged up a plan, using the end of uncut broom handle as an surfeit lever, to allow Yeager own seal the hatch.[37]
Yeager broke rendering sound barrier on October 14, , in level flight piece piloting the X-1 Glamorous Glennis at Mach at an loftiness of 45,ft (13,m)[38][d] over primacy Rogers Dry Lake of illustriousness Mojave Desert in California.[42] Ethics success of the mission was not announced to the communal for nearly eight months, till June 10, [43][44] Yeager was awarded the Mackay Trophy bear the Collier Trophy in transport his mach-transcending flight,[45][46] and picture Harmon International Trophy in [47] The X-1 he flew walk day was later put stay permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Dissociate Museum.[48] During , he guileful the Air Command and Truncheon College.[49]
Yeager continued to break myriad speed and altitude records. Smartness was one of the chief American pilots to fly deft Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG, after its flier, No Kum-sok, defected to Southern Korea.[50][51] Returning to Muroc, sooner than the latter half of , Yeager was involved with influence USAF team that was mine on the X-1A, an degree designed to surpass Mach 2 in level flight. That day, he flew a chase level for the civilian pilot Jackie Cochran as she became depiction first woman to fly stimulate than sound.[52]
On November 20, , the U.S. Navy program alongside the Douglas DII Skyrocket vital its pilot, Scott Crossfield, became the first team to go on twice the speed of lock. After they were bested, Ridley and Yeager decided to pound rival Crossfield's speed record bill a series of test flights that they dubbed "Operation NACA Weep". Not only did they beat Crossfield by setting calligraphic new record at Mach synchronize December 12, , but they did it in time not far from spoil a celebration planned honor the 50th anniversary of route in which Crossfield was get into be called "the fastest gentleman alive".[52]
The new record flight, subdue, did not entirely go understand plan, since shortly after move Mach , Yeager lost governance of the X-1A at attempt 80,ft (24,m) due to idleness coupling, a phenomenon largely alien at the time. With interpretation aircraft simultaneously rolling, pitching, arm yawing out of control, Yeager dropped 51,ft (16,m) in breed than a minute before return control at around 29,ft (8,m). He then managed to peninsula without further incident.[52] For that feat, Yeager was awarded righteousness Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) principal [53][e]
Military command
Yeager was foremost grand fighter pilot and held some squadron and wing commands. Evade to , he commanded high-mindedness FH Sabre-equipped th Fighter-Bomber Team (50th Fighter-Bomber Wing) at Chemist AB, West Germany, and Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France; and free yourself of to the FD Super Sabre-equipped 1st Fighter Day Squadron eye George Air Force Base, Calif., and Morón Air Base, Spain.[54]
He was a full colonel gather ,[55] after completion of boss year's studies and final monograph on STOL aircraft[56] at illustriousness Air War College. He became the first commandant of greatness USAF Aerospace Research Pilot Academy, which produced astronauts for NASA and the USAF, after secure redesignation from the USAF Course Test Pilot School. He confidential only a high school tuition, so he was not suitable to become an astronaut with regards to those he trained. In Apr , Yeager made his single flight with Neil Armstrong. Their job, flying a T, was to evaluate Smith Ranch Go beyond Lake in Nevada for look out over as an emergency landing time for the North American Confirm In his autobiography, he wrote that he knew the cork bed was unsuitable for landings after recent rains, but Trumpeter insisted on flying out setting aside how. As Armstrong suggested that they do a touch-and-go, Yeager catch against it, telling him "You may touch, but you ain't gonna go!" When Armstrong upfront touch down, the wheels became stuck in the mud, delivery the plane to a impulsive stop and provoking Yeager appraise fits of laughter. They difficult to understand to wait for rescue.[6]
Yeager's interest in the test pilot knowledge program for NASA included dubitable behavior. Yeager reportedly did fret believe that Ed Dwight, prestige first African American pilot common into the program, should fleece a part of it. Radiate the documentary series Chasing rank Moon, the filmmakers made magnanimity claim that Yeager instructed club and participants at the grammar that "Washington is trying quality cram the nigger down speech throats. [President] Kennedy is need this to make 'racial equality,' so do not speak disparagement him, do not socialize climb on him, do not drink meet him, do not invite him over to your house, become peaceful in six months he'll examine gone."[57][58] In his autobiography, Dwight details how Yeager's leadership unhappy to discriminatory treatment throughout enthrone training at Edwards Air Question Base.[59]
Between December and January , Yeager completed five flights sight the NASA M2-F1lifting body. Peter out accident during a December evaluation flight in one of rectitude school's NFs resulted in dire injuries. After climbing to tidy near-record altitude, the plane's instruments became ineffective, and it entered a flat spin. After a handful turns, and an altitude sacrifice of approximately 95, feet, Yeager ejected from the plane. Midst the ejection, the seat straps released normally, but the headquarters base slammed into Yeager, do better than the still-hot rocket motor disintegration his helmet's plastic faceplate countryside causing his emergency oxygen scant to catch fire. The secondary burns to his face domineering extensive and agonizing medical concern. This was Yeager's last be similar to at setting test-flying records.[60][61][62][f]
In , Yeager took command of greatness th Tactical Fighter Wing reduced Clark Air Base, the Archipelago, whose squadrons were deployed rear-ender rotational temporary duty (TDY) check South Vietnam and elsewhere break off Southeast Asia. There he flew missions. In February , Yeager was assigned command of justness 4th Tactical Fighter Wing belittling Seymour Johnson Air Force Bracket, North Carolina, and led blue blood the gentry McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II wing in South Korea at hand the Pueblo crisis.[63]
Yeager was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned in July as goodness vice-commander of the Seventeenth Debris Force.[64]
From to , at ethics behest of Ambassador Joseph Farland, Yeager was assigned as character Air Attache in Pakistan determination advise the Pakistan Air Move violently which was led by Abdur Rahim Khan (the first Asiatic to break the sound barrier).[65][66][67] He arrived in Pakistan soft a time when tensions snatch India were at a pump up session level. One of Yeager's jobs during this time was be bounded by assist Pakistani technicians in beginning AIM-9 Sidewinders on PAF's Moukden F-6 fighters. He also locked away a keen interest in interacting with PAF personnel from several Pakistani Squadrons and helping them develop combat tactics.[67] In procrastinate instance in , while sojourning the No. 15 Squadron "Cobras" at Peshawar Airbase, the Squadron's OCWing Commander Najeeb Khan escorted him to K2 in practised pair of FFs after Yeager requested a visit to class second highest mountain on Earth.[68][69] After hostilities broke out check , he decided to block up in West Pakistan and drawn-out overseeing the PAF's operations.[65][67] Yeager recalled "the Pakistanis whipped greatness Indians' asses in the unclear the Pakistanis scored a three-to-one kill ratio, knocking out Russian-made Indian jets and losing 34 airplanes of their own".[70] Textile the war, he flew posse the western front in neat as a pin helicopter documenting wreckages of Soldier aircraft of Soviet origin which included Sukhoi Su-7s and MiGs. These aircraft were transported lecture to the United States after position war for analysis.[65][67][71] Yeager besides flew around in his Beechcraft Queen Air, a small do-nothing aircraft that was assigned give somebody the job of him by the Pentagon, set up shot-down Indian fighter pilots.[67][72] The Beechcraft was later debauched during an air raid antisocial the IAF at a Asian airbase when Yeager was arrange present.[73][74] Edward C. Ingraham, expert U.S. diplomat who had served as political counselor to Delegate Farland in Islamabad, recalled that incident in the Washington Monthly of October "After Yeager's Beechcraft was destroyed during an Amerind air raid, he raged hither his cowering colleagues that loftiness Indian pilot had been ie instructed by Indira Gandhi involving blast his plane. 'It was', he later wrote, 'the Asian way of giving Uncle Sam the finger'".[75] Yeager was beside oneself with rag over the incident and necessary U.S. retaliation.[65][76]
Post-retirement and in accepted culture
On March 1, , Yeager retired from the Air Sham at Norton Air Force Cheer on, California.[63]
Yeager made a cameo affect in the movie The Claim Stuff (). He played "Fred", a bartender at "Pancho's Place", which was most appropriate, on account of he said, "if all righteousness hours were ever totaled, Unrestrainable reckon I spent more interval at her place than cultivate a cockpit over those years".[77]Sam Shepard portrayed Yeager in illustriousness film, which chronicles in scrap his famous record-breaking flight.[78]
Yeager has been referenced several times constrict the shared Star Trek existence, including having a namesake legendary type of starship, a robust starship formation-maneuver named after him called the "Yeager Loop" (most notably mentioned in the Star Trek: The Next Generation happening "The First Duty"), and advent in archival footage within honesty opening title sequence for blue blood the gentry series Star Trek: Enterprise (–). For Enterprise, executive producer Tartness Berman said that he envisaged the lead character, Captain Jonathan Archer, as being "halfway betwixt Chuck Yeager and Han Solo".[79]
For several years in the tough, Yeager was connected to Accepted Motors, publicizing ACDelco, the company's automotive parts division.[80] In , he was invited to operate the Chevrolet Corvettepace car courier the 70th running of honesty Indianapolis In , Yeager was again invited to drive rendering pace car, this time parallel the wheel of an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. In , Gaffer Reagan appointed Yeager to character Rogers Commission that investigated righteousness explosion of the Space Ply Challenger.[81]
During this time, Yeager too served as a technical guide for three Electronic Arts flight path simulator video games. The jollity include Chuck Yeager's Advanced Track Trainer, Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flying Trainer , and Chuck Yeager's Air Combat. The game manuals feature quotes and anecdotes immigrant Yeager and were well traditional by players. Missions feature some of Yeager's accomplishments and pour out players challenge his records. Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer was Electronic Art's top-selling game nurse [82]
In , Yeager participated play a role the documentary The Legend short vacation Pancho Barnes and the Sad Bottom Riding Club, a sideview of his friend Pancho Barnes. The documentary was screened cram film festivals, aired on bring to light television in the United States, and won an Emmy Award.[83]
On October 14, , on glory 50th anniversary of his notable flight past Mach 1, take action flew a new Glamorous Glennis III, an FD Eagle, done Mach 1.[84] The chase boundary for the flight was doublecross F Fighting Falcon piloted saturate Bob Hoover, a longtime eat, fighter, and aerobatic pilot who had been Yeager's wingman use the first supersonic flight.[85] Habit the end of his spiel to the crowd in , Yeager concluded, "All that Frenzied am I owe to leadership Air Force".[86] Later that four weeks, he was the recipient endowment the Tony Jannus Award care for his achievements.[87]
On October 14, , on the 65th anniversary be advisable for breaking the sound barrier, Yeager did it again at probity age of 89, flying restructuring co-pilot in a McDonnell Politico F Eagle piloted by Coxswain David Vincent out of Nellis Air Force Base.[88]
In October , Yeager reached international headlines conj at the time that a Twitter argument he was having with an Irish lass led to him lashing crunch at the British and Erse, namely calling Irish people Brits, and labeling all British descendants as "nasty" and "arrogant". Ham-fisted stranger to controversy in crown life, this was one be defeated Yeager's last major public faux-pas.[89][90]
Awards and decorations
In , Yeager was inducted into the National Flying Hall of Fame, arguably aviation's highest honor. In , Yeager received the Golden Plate Furnish of the American Academy spick and span Achievement.[91] In December , rendering U.S. Congress awarded Yeager nifty silver medal "equivalent to neat noncombat Medal of Honor plump for contributing immeasurably to aerospace branch by risking his life affix piloting the X-1 research plane faster than the speed game sound on October 14, ". President Gerald Ford presented grandeur medal to Yeager in regular ceremony at the White Studio on December 8, [92][g]
Yeager on no occasion attended college and was generally modest about his background, nevertheless is considered by many, with Flying Magazine, the California Corridor of Fame, the State constantly West Virginia, National Aviation Pass of Fame, a few U.S. presidents, and the United States Army Air Force, to enter one of the greatest pilots of all time. Air & Space/Smithsonian magazine ranked him justness fifth greatest pilot of homeless person time in [94] Regardless contribution his lack of higher nurture, West Virginia's Marshall University styled its highest academic scholarship prestige Society of Yeager Scholars multiply by two his honor. He was goodness chairman of Experimental Aircraft Harvester (EAA)'s Young Eagle Program strip to , and was forename the program's chairman emeritus.[95]
In , Yeager was inducted into description International Air & Space Passage of Fame.[96] He was inducted into the International Space Entry of Fame in [97] Noteworthy was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor inaugural class.[98]
Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Town, is named in his go halves. The Interstate 64/Interstate 77 rein in over the Kanawha River preparation Charleston is named in rule honor. He also flew immediately under the Kanawha Bridge tolerate West Virginia named it loftiness Chuck E. Yeager Bridge. Convert October 19, , the repair of West Virginia also worthy Yeager with a marker forth Corridor G (part of U.S. Highway ) in his fondle Lincoln County, and also renamed part of it the Yeager Highway.[99]
Yeager was an honorary timber member of the humanitarian structure Wings of Hope.[] On Sedate 25, , Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced turn this way Yeager would be one well 13 California Hall of Decorum inductees in The California Museum's yearlong exhibit. The induction tribute was on December 1, , in Sacramento, California. Flying Magazine ranked Yeager number 5 say yes its list of The 51 Heroes of Aviation; for repeat years, he was the highest-ranked living person on the list.[]
The Civil Air Patrol, the offer auxiliary of the USAF, distinction the Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Award to its senior branchs as part of its Aerospace Education program.[]
Other achievements
Dates of rank
[][][][][][][]
Aerial victory credits
Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit Assigned |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 4, | 1 | Messerschmitt Bf | Kassel, Germany | P | FS, FG |
September 13, | Bf | Kassel, Germany | P | FS, FG | |
October 12, | 5 | Bf | Hanover, Germany | P | Food, FG |
November 6, | 1 | Messerschmitt Family name | Assen, Germany | P | FS, FG |
November 27, | 4 | Focke-Wulf Fw | Magdeburg, Germany | P | FS, FG |
[]
Personal life
Yeager name his plane after his mate, Glennis, as a good-luck charm: "You're my good-luck charm, hon. Any airplane I name sustenance you always brings me home."[] Yeager and Glennis moved leak Grass Valley, California, after monarch retirement from the Air Embassy in The couple prospered in that a result of Yeager's fruitful autobiography, speaking engagements, and rewarding ventures.[] Glennis Yeager died allude to ovarian cancer in They locked away four children (Susan, Don, Mickey, and Sharon).[] Yeager's son Mickey (Michael) died unexpectedly in Oregon, on March 26, []
Yeager arrived in a Texas advertisement on George H. W. Bush's statesmanlike campaign.[] In , Yeager reduce actress Victoria Scott D'Angelo tragedy a hiking trail in Nevada County. The pair started dating shortly thereafter, and married take away August [] A bitter problem arose between Yeager, his domestic, and D'Angelo. The children controversial that she, at least 35 years Yeager's junior, had one him for his fortune. Yeager and D'Angelo both denied grandeur charge. Litigation ensued, in which his children accused D'Angelo look up to "undue influence" on Yeager, skull Yeager accused his children remember diverting millions of dollars outsider his assets.[] In August , the California Court of Attraction ruled for Yeager, finding drift his daughter Susan had breached her duty as trustee.[][]
Yeager momentary in Grass Valley, Northern Calif. and died in the farewell of December 7, (National Wonder Harbor Remembrance Day), at permission 97, in a Los Angeles hospital.[][] Following his death, Gaffer Donald Trump issued a proclamation of condolences stating Yeager "was one of the greatest pilots in history, a proud Westerly Virginian, and an American up-to-the-minute who relentlessly pushed the frontiers of human achievement".[]
See also
Notes
- ^Yeager esoteric not been in an aeroplane prior to January , conj at the time that his Engineering Officer invited him on a test flight stern maintenance of an AT Settle down related that he became really sick on the flight: "After puking all over myself Uncontrollable said, 'Yeager, you made well-ordered big mistake'".[1]
- ^Chuck Yeager is mewl related to Jeana Yeager, twofold of the two pilots resolve the Rutan Voyager aircraft, which circled the world without docking or refueling.[10]
- ^In some versions donation the story, the doctor was a veterinarian; however, local citizenry have noted that Rosamond was so small that it locked away neither a medical doctor blurry a veterinarian.[36]
- ^Yeager was the chief confirmed to break the fjord barrier, and the first strong any measure to do ethnic group in level flight. Other pilots who have been suggested pass for unproven possibilities to have exceeded the sound barrier before Yeager were all flying in grand steep dive for the reputed occurrence. There is anecdotal strive that American pilot George Welsh may have broken the lasting barrier two weeks before Yeager, while diving an XP Bayonet on October 1, , gift again on October 14, crabby 30 minutes before Yeager's X-1 flight. However, the precision equipment used to carefully document ethics speed of Yeager's flight were not used during Welch's flights.[39] Even earlier, German pilot Lothar Sieber was estimated to be blessed with broken the speed of part during his fatal test-flight interrupt the rocket-powered Bachem Natter register March 1, , although glory speed was not officially measured.[40] In his book Me, rankle Messerschmitt Me Komet pilot Mano Ziegler claims that his playmate, test pilot Heini Dittmar, penurious the sound barrier and go on July 6, , oversight reached 1, km/h in shoot up, and that several people tag the ground heard the transonic booms. There was also grand disputed claim by German initial Hans Guido Mutke that flair was the first person be adjacent to break the sound barrier, empathy April 9, , in deft Messerschmitt Me [41]
- ^Yeager received glory DSM in the Army set up, since the Air Force Famous Service Medal was not awarded until
- ^The movie The Surprise Stuff implies that Yeager took the NF on a spontaneous, unauthorized flight. In reality, warranty was a part of put in order scheduled series of test flights.
- ^