Most people understand they will never exceed the speed of sound. General Chuck Yeager not only achieved that milestone, but he was also the first to ever do it. The American Airlines C.R. Museum is presenting Yeager for all to see and hear as he speaks at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center on Sunday, July 25, at 2:30 p.m.
Gen. Yeager has accomplished many things in his lifetime, but certainly one of the most significant was his success in breaking the sound barrier. It was Oct. 14, 1947, when the then-23-year-old Yeager was dropped from the wing of a jet in his experimental, rocket-powered Bell X-1. After being released into the atmosphere, Yeager fired all four chambers of his rocket engine, and quickly accelerated to Mach 0.98 at 43,000 feet, causing the needle on his Mach meter to literally jump off the scale. Yeager ultimately reached the record-breaking top speed of Mach 1.06 (approximately 700 miles per hour) at an altitude of 45,000 feet.
There were plenty of doubters more than 60 years ago who simply did not think it was possible, but Gen. Yeager proved them wrong that day.
While some like to call Yeager “Mr. Supersonic,” or “the fastest man alive,” most would agree the most fitting title for this legendary pilot is “true American hero.”
Tickets to see and hear Gen. Yeager are $30 for C.R. Smith Museum members and $40 for non-members. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Doors will open at 2 p.m. and seating is limited. Personalized photos signed by Gen. Yeager are $60 and may be pre-ordered, available for pickup at the event. Visit www.crsmithmuseum.org for photo choices.
The American Airlines Training and Conference Center is located at 4501 Highway 360 South in Fort Worth. To order tickets and photos, send an e-mail to [email protected], call 817-967-5995, or visit the museum gift shop. For additional details and membership opportunities, visit www.crsmithmuseum.org
