This week in Edwards history Published March 29, 2018 By 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 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 traditional runways were lost.