Sierra Hotel Blog
During Concorde flight testing, British test pilot Brian Walpole and French test pilot Jean Franchi performed a complete barrel roll in the world’s most iconic supersonic airliner — one of the most extraordinary feats in aviation history.
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On December 20, 1962, NASA research pilot Milton O. Thompson ejected inverted at 18,000 feet after his F-104 Starfighter experienced an asymmetric flap condition over Edwards AFB. He descended safely under a good chute, walked to the road, and was found hitchhiking by NASA Flight Operations chief Joe Vensel. Thompson went on to fly the M2-F1 lifting body 47 times, pilot the X-15 to Mach 5.48, and eventually become NASA Chief Engineer.
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On October 3, 1967, test pilot Pete Knight flew the X-15A-2 to Mach 6.72 — 4,520 mph — setting a world absolute speed record for manned aircraft that still stands today. Knight also earned his Astronaut Wings and a Distinguished Flying Cross for airmanship under total electrical failure at 107,000 feet. He flew 253 combat missions in Vietnam before retiring as a Colonel with over 6,000 flight hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
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Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe Jr. shot down 5 MiGs in Korea, set a world altitude record of 126,200 feet in the Bell X-2, and became known as America's First Spaceman. He was killed at age 30 during an F-104 test flight at Edwards AFB.
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General Joe Henry Engle earned astronaut wings in the X-15 at just 32 years old, flew 17 X-15 missions, and commanded two Space Shuttle missions including STS-2 aboard Columbia. He also flew Space Shuttle Enterprise on multiple unpowered Approach and Landing Tests, releasing from NASA's 747 at 25,000 feet. Joe flew over 185 aircraft types and logged more than 15,400 hours. He flew west on July 10, 2024, at the age of 91.
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