March 29, 2018 This week in Edwards history On March 26, 1958, the first launch of the Zero Length Launch (ZEL) program of an F-100D took place from a truck-mounted launcher. North American test pilot Albert W. Blackburn was at the controls. A follow-on to the ZELMAL program, ZEL was designed to launch tactical fighter planes in case
March 20, 2018 This week in Edwards history On March 20, 1956, a test team completed a safety of flight evaluation of the Lockheed YC-121F. The aircraft was a modified 1249 series Constellation that was configured as a high-speed cargo and personnel transport.
April 4, 2018 This week in Edwards history On April 4, 2003, the CV-22 Osprey Test Team reached a milestone when the tilt-rotor aircraft successfully completed a terrain-following radar exercise. The event took place during the multi-mode radar test plan segment of the aircraft's test plan.
April 10, 2018 This week in Edwards history On April 11, 1992, the C-17 Globemaster III successfully completed its first in-flight refueling mission from a KC-135 aerial tanker.
May 9, 2018 This week in Edwards history On May 10, 1972, Fairchild Republic’s YA-10A Thunderbolt II made its first flight, flown by company chief test pilot Howard “Sam” Nelson. The twin-engine, twin-tailed ground attack aircraft was designed around the GAU-8 Avenger 30 mm rotary cannon.
April 24, 2018 This week in Edwards history On April 25, 1996, the NC-141A Electric Starlifter made its first flight since it had been converted to power-by-wire/fly-by-wire aileron controls. The Electric Starlifter program explored the use of these controls in order to save weight and increase serviceability rates of line aircraft.
Aug. 7, 2018 This week in Edwards history On Aug. 6, 1980, a B-1 Combined Test Force crew completed an 11-hour sortie in B-1 No. 4. This was the longest nonstop flight ever logged by a B-1 Lancer.
June 25, 2018 This week in Edwards history On June 29, 1965, Capt. Joe Engle reached 280,600 feet (53 miles) in X-15 No. 3, becoming the third Air Force winged astronaut and the youngest pilot to receive astronaut wings. In this Edwards History Office file photo above, Engle is with his wife, Mary, daughter Laurie and son, Jon.
July 17, 2018 This week in Edwards history On July 17, 1989, the Northrop B-2 Spirit made its first flight, a two-hour sortie from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, to Edwards Air Force Base. Northrop test pilot Bruce Hinds and Col. Richard S. Couch, the B-2 Combined Test Force director, flew the “stealth” bomber. This marked
July 3, 2018 This week in Edwards history On July 4, 1982, Space Shuttle Columbia landed in view of President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan and some 500,000 visitors and guests. The shuttle’s fourth orbital flight was its first landing on a concrete runway and marked the end of its formal flight test program. Later that very same