Witness History Breaking the sound barrier
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Nov 10, 2025 Chuck Yeager, the legendary U.S. Air Force test pilot, shares his thrilling journey of becoming the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947. Despite flying with two broken ribs, he details the challenges of the Bell X-1 and the ingenious fixes he employed, like using a broom handle to secure the cockpit. Yeager reflects on the dangers of supersonic flight and dispels myths about speed. He also discusses the immediate and lasting impact of his historic flight on aviation. His stories reveal both courage and serendipity in the face of groundbreaking challenges.
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Broken Ribs Before The Flight
- Chuck Yeager rode a horse through a gate late at night and broke two ribs before his record flight.
- He taped himself up, used a broomstick to close the X-1 cockpit, and still flew on 14 October 1947.
B-29 Drop Launch For The X-1
- The X-1 was carried aloft under a B-29 and released to give it the altitude and speed it needed.
- Yeager described sliding feet-first into the cramped cockpit and firing rockets for a flight that lasted only minutes at full power.
Tail Fix Saved A Near Loss Of Control
- On an earlier flight at Mach 0.94 Yeager lost elevator effectiveness and nearly lost control.
- Jack Ridley converted the horizontal tail into an adjustable stabiliser which restored control at high speed.