This week in Edwards history Published April 24, 2018 By 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 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.