Word: speeding
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...Chuck climbed aboard the B29. He already knew what the X-1 would do below Mach 1 (the speed of sound). He had flown it many times, working it up gradually toward the critical speed. The rocket plane handled beautifully, both when flying under rocket power and when gliding down so quietly that Chuck could hear the clock ticking on the instrument panel. After each landing, Captain Jackie L. Ridley, Muroc flight test engineer, analyzed the records of the X-1's instruments. On the whole, they were encouraging. But no one was sure what would happen...
Chuck knew now that the B-29 was in a flat power glide to increase its speed to 240 m.p.h., minimum flying speed of the loaded X-1. "B29 eight zero zero," chanted Major Cardenas, "30 seconds to drop time...
...sudden acceleration hit Chuck Yeager like a sledge hammer and the X-1 climbed high at tremendous speed. ("It's like having hold of something by the tail and not daring let go.") At carefully timed intervals he fired the other rockets. Each gave the little orange airplane another mighty push. Chuck didn't hear much noise; he was leaving sound behind...
...their new airplanes and drop them from high altitudes. As they streak down to destruction, telemetering instruments report their performance by radio. After the airplane itself is assembled, the "contractor's" test pilots have the ticklish job of easing it into the air. In the case of high-speed aircraft, this is generally done at Muroc; civilian pilots like the field as much as the Air Force does. Untested aircraft are shipped all the way to Muroc from the Atlantic Coast...
...deal. His pilots testify that "he does everything we do" and he is one of the six Air Force men who have flown faster than sound in the X-1.* ("The Old Man did fine," says Chuck.) In 1947, Test Pilot Boyd also set a new world's speed record (623.8 m.p.h.) over Muroc Lake in a specially built F-80 (TIME, June...