BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER

Year Published: 1947

Description: This short film describes Captain Charles "Chuck" Yeager's historic flight on October 14, 1947, when he became the first human to break the sound barrier. Yeager piloted the Bell X-1, a rocket-propelled aircraft designed by Bell to fly faster than the speed of sound. The X-1 was loaded into a modified B-29 bomber and launched at 30,000 feet. Yeager climbed to 56,000 feet and successfully exceeded the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1. After the propellant was exhausted, he performed a dead stick landing. This milestone marked a significant achievement in aviation history and set the stage for further research in supersonic flight. 0:43 - 1:01: On October 14, 1947, Captain Chuck Yeager prepared to break the sound barrier in the X-1 at the Air Force Flight Test Center in California. 1:01 - 1:23: The X-1, designed by Bell, was fueled with liquid oxygen and water alcohol, taking an hour to complete the delicate process. 1:23 - 1:50: The X-1's fuel system had an explosive potential equal to its weight in TNT, and its rocket engine produced 6,000 pounds of thrust. 1:50 - 2:48: The X-1 was loaded into a modified B-29 bomber, a process that took considerable time due to close clearances. 2:48 - 3:08: After months of preparation, the X-1 was ready for its first attempt to exceed the speed of sound. 3:08 - 3:31: The B-29 ascended to 30,000 feet, with radar tracking the mission and telemetering flight data to the ground crew. 3:31 - 3:51: Captain Yeager wore an emergency pressure suit and entered the X-1 cockpit via a manually operated elevator. 3:51 - 4:28: After completing the launch procedure, the X-1 was released from the B-29. 4:28 - 4:48: With all four rockets firing, Yeager climbed to 56,000 feet in less than two minutes. 4:48 - 5:03: Yeager successfully broke the sound barrier, becoming the first human to do so. 5:03 - 5:21: With the propellant exhausted, Yeager reduced speed and altitude for a dead stick landing at 160 mph. 5:21 - 5:35: The X-1 rolled for over two miles, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. 5:35 - 5:54: This flight set the pace for further research in supersonic flight and was a major milestone in aviation history.

Complete Record: This short film describes Captain Charles "Chuck" Yeager's historic flight on October 14, 1947, when he became the first human to break the sound barrier. Yeager piloted the Bell X-1, a rocket-propelled aircraft designed by Bell to fly faster than the speed of sound. The X-1 was loaded into a modified B-29 bomber and launched at 30,000 feet. Yeager climbed to 56,000 feet and successfully exceeded the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1. After the propellant was exhausted, he performed a dead stick landing. This milestone marked a significant achievement in aviation history and set the stage for further research in supersonic flight. 0:43 - 1:01: On October 14, 1947, Captain Chuck Yeager prepared to break the sound barrier in the X-1 at the Air Force Flight Test Center in California. 1:01 - 1:23: The X-1, designed by Bell, was fueled with liquid oxygen and water alcohol, taking an hour to complete the delicate process. 1:23 - 1:50: The X-1's fuel system had an explosive potential equal to its weight in TNT, and its rocket engine produced 6,000 pounds of thrust. 1:50 - 2:48: The X-1 was loaded into a modified B-29 bomber, a process that took considerable time due to close clearances. 2:48 - 3:08: After months of preparation, the X-1 was ready for its first attempt to exceed the speed of sound. 3:08 - 3:31: The B-29 ascended to 30,000 feet, with radar tracking the mission and telemetering flight data to the ground crew. 3:31 - 3:51: Captain Yeager wore an emergency pressure suit and entered the X-1 cockpit via a manually operated elevator. 3:51 - 4:28: After completing the launch procedure, the X-1 was released from the B-29. 4:28 - 4:48: With all four rockets firing, Yeager climbed to 56,000 feet in less than two minutes. 4:48 - 5:03: Yeager successfully broke the sound barrier, becoming the first human to do so. 5:03 - 5:21: With the propellant exhausted, Yeager reduced speed and altitude for a dead stick landing at 160 mph. 5:21 - 5:35: The X-1 rolled for over two miles, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. 5:35 - 5:54: This flight set the pace for further research in supersonic flight and was a major milestone in aviation history.