Test Pilot

Great Aviatrix, Pancho Barnes, in Chuck Yeager’s Own Words

By Victoria Yeager / March 2, 2021

I first met Pancho Barnes on my first trip to Muroc in 1945, when we were testing Shooting Stars. Pancho was 46 when I first met her. She had black hair and dark eyes, slim hips and broad shoulders. She would never use a 5 or 6 letter word when a four-letter word would do.…

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I Never Lost a Pilot While Flying Chase by Chuck Yeager

By Victoria Yeager / February 24, 2021

Many, many pilots died testing airplanes over the Mojave desert from Muroc, then Edwards AFB, CA. Over 51 streets were named after those who lost their lives flying test. Even Edwards is named after Glen Edwards. General Yeager’s own words flying chase for test pilots: I never lost a pilot while flying chase; but there…

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ARPS – early astronaut training

By Victoria Yeager / July 14, 2019

In late 1961, we were ready to screen applicants for our first class at the space school, and because they would be the first bunch, the screening process was particularly thorough. We wanted only the very best pilots, and our first couple of classes consisted of experienced military test pilots, who had graduated from Edwards’…

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In His Own Words: Emmett Hatch, black pilot, in Chuck Yeager’s Squadron 1950’s

By Victoria Yeager / July 12, 2019

In his own words from Yeager, An Autobiography pp 290-297: “The Air Force had only been integrated seven or eight years by the time I became a fighter pilot. I came up through the ranks as an enlisted man, the same as Chuck Yeager, but it wasn’t easy for me as a black man. There…

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Chuck Yeager & M2-F1 Lifting Body

By Victoria Yeager / December 3, 2017

Chuck Yeager flew the M2-F1  Lifting Body 5 times: Vehicle Date Pilot Velocity Altitude Comments M2-F1 #18 Dec 3, 1963 Yeager 240 3,650 Duration 00:01:35 M2-F1 #25 Jan 29, 1964 Yeager 240 3,650 1st flight of the day M2-F1 #26 Jan 29, 1964 Yeager 240 3,650 2nd flight of the day M2-F1 #27 Jan 30, 1964…

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Training Jackie Cochran-to Become 1st Woman to Break Sound Barrier

By Victoria Yeager / May 18, 2014

I first met Jackie Cochran in 1947, not long after I broke the sound barrier, in Secretary of the Air Force Scott Symington’s office. She was a tall, blonde woman in her forties. “I’m Jackie Cochran,” she said pumping my hand. “Great job, Captain Yeager. We’re all proud of you.” She invited me to lunch…

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B-51 – Chuck Yeager & Russ Schleeh

By Victoria Yeager / May 17, 2014

Even Col Boyd never got to fly it – although he wanted to do so, he never found the time. In the ’50s, I used to fly it cross country to get home to Hamlin – speedy for its day. Three engines. Russ Schleeh and I were two of the first to fly it. Only…

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Flying Chase for Pilot with Hypoxia: From Chuck Yeager’s files

By Victoria Yeager / September 7, 2013

Chuck Yeager: I never lost a pilot while flying chase, but there were many close calls. After I had flown the X-4 research airplane, the Air Force turned it over to NACA, and I flew chase for their pilot. Joe Walker. We were climbing together through 20,000 feet, and was listening to Joe talking with…

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Before Testing the MiG 15 – Korea – Chuck Yeager

By Victoria Yeager / August 22, 2013

This evening this was one of many stories General Yeager related to me: While prepping to test the MiG in Korea, a staff car came up. Gen Boyd got out. Pouring w/rain. Gen Boyd to me: Come here I want you to meet somebody. It was a 4 star general. 4 star general to me:…

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Test Pilot School – 1949 – Will I pass?

By Victoria Yeager / August 2, 2013

General Yeager tells his story: On the way back to Edwards, and to face the “firing squad” at TPS, from France, we stopped off in Madrid. At dinner, I said: “General Boyd-” but he interrupted. “Chuck, we’re after hours now. Call me ‘Al.’” I said….”General Boyd, the two of us can be stuck together on…

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The French Engineers Just Shook Their Heads

By Victoria Yeager / July 20, 2013

From Chuck Yeager: A couple years after I broke the sound barrier, someone forced the issue and General Boyd was forced to order me back to test pilot school to complete the standard and evaluation course. The instructors knew I was not an academic and couldn’t wait to fail me, the pilot who broke the…

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The Hell There Ain’t….

By Victoria Yeager / July 10, 2013

General Yeager told me this story July 10, 2013: Jack Ridley was itching to fly the X-1 after we succeeded in breaking the sound barrier. Finally, when he got his chance, he asked if I would fly chase. Almost every flight in the X-1 had an issue from electricity going out, to no radio, to…

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