Make Your Career Soar
Thirty-six years ago this week, production unit No. 5,000 of the incomparable USAF/McDonnell F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber was delivered in a public ceremony held at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. This occasion (Wednesday, 24 May 1978) also marked the 20th anniversary of the type’s maiden flight (Saturday, 24 May 1958). Rhino,… Read More
From 07-11 May 2012, J. Terry White brought his Aerodynamics For Engineersshort course to Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The training was provided to aerospace professionals from the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), whose workforce includes roughly 12,800 men and women focused on conducting and supporting research, development, test and… Read More
Forty-nine years ago today, the USAF/Northrop X-21A Laminar Flow Control (LFC) experimental aircraft exhibited a significant reduction in skin friction drag. This achievement marked the first time in aviation history that the LFC principle was successfully demonstrated in flight. Perhaps aviation’s greatest holy grail is the pursuit of technology that… Read More
Fifty-nine years ago this month, the USAF/North American YF-100A Super Sabre air-superiority fighter made its maiden flight with North American test pilot George S. Welch at the controls. During this initial test flight, the Super Sabre exceeded the speed of sound. The North American F-100 Super Sabre was the successor… Read More
Forty-years ago this month, the United States successfully conducted the next-to-last Apollo lunar landing mission with the flight of Apollo 16. The lunar landing occurred in the densely-cratered Descartes Highlands region located near the Descartes crater. On Sunday, 16 April 1972, Commander John W. Young, Command Module Pilot Thomas K.… Read More
From 16-20 April 2012, flight testers, aircrew and engineers from as far away as Finland and as close as the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB gathered at the AERO Institute in Palmdale, CA for EO/IR sensor system training conducted by world-renown expert, John L. Minor. The Fundamentals of… Read More
Forty-five years ago this month, the United States Air Force successfully flew and recovered the third and final Project PRIME Flight Test Vehicle (FTV-3). PRIME stood for Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry. The ability to generate aerodynamic lift allows a reentry vehicle to maneuver along the endoatmospheric portion of its… Read More
Fifty-years ago this week, future Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong piloted the fifty-first and longest mission of the X-15 Program. The research flight was highlighted by Armstrong having to make a 180-degree turn over Los Angeles to recover the X-15 back at Edwards Air Force Base following a 45-mile… Read More
Sixty-years ago this week, the USAF/Boeing YB-52 Stratofortress (S/N 49-231) all-jet strategic bomber took to the air on its maiden flight. The crew for this historic event consisted of Boeing’s Alvin M. “Tex” Johnston (command pilot) and USAF Lt Col Guy M. Townsend (co-pilot). The B-52 was designed by the… Read More
Aerosciences instructor J. Terry White held his Fundamentals of Hypersonics short course from 26 – 30 March at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. This simultaneously marks the debut appearance of FOH at Wright-Patterson AFB and the roll-out of the newly revised course, which now features a module on Hypersonic Boundary Layer Transition.… Read More
