Before he was an astronaut, Neil Armstrong was a @nasa test pilot, testing research planes including the X-15. Milt Thompson called him "the most technically capable of the early X-15 pilots." On the last of his 7 X-15 flights in July 1962 he reached Mach 5.74.
As a kid, the X-15 was the most exciting thing. I had pictures of it and paid close attention to all the action. Then the Mercury launches. Oh Boy! You guys really gave us a lot to be proud of while I was growing up!
It was once said about Armstrong that if you put an engine on a garbage can lid, he could fly it. He got his pilot's license before his driver's license. It's no surprise he flew the X-15 with ease.
Joe Sabín :ir:
in reply to NASA • • •βɛth
in reply to NASA • • •