"Last Flight" of Brig Gen Charles E. Yeager, USAF (Ret) (F)

The Society of Experimental Test Pilots mourned the passing of Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager on December 7, 2020, at age 97. Born February 13, 1923, Yeager became legendary as both a World War II fighter ace and pioneering test pilot. On October 14, 1947, he became the first man to fly faster than sound in the Bell X-1 experimental rocket plane at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During WWII, he completed 64 missions and downed 13 German aircraft. He flew 341 military aircraft types with approximately 18,000 flight hours. Yeager served as Commandant of the Air Force Test Pilot School and retired March 1, 1975. He joined SETP in 1968 and became a Fellow in 1975.