tag:www.thedonovan.com,2012://1/tag:www.thedonovan.com,2004://1.3305- 2012-03-24T16:05:22Z Comments for If Airplanes Could Talk... We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 Movable Type 4.12 tag:www.thedonovan.com,2004://1.3305 2004-12-20T21:37:27Z 2006-11-11T16:52:40Z If Airplanes Could Talk... Actually, they do. You just have to know how to listen. In this case, what you would learn would go a long way in getting you to understand and appreciate the Golden Age of aviation. From Scott Crossfield's blazing ascents into near-space to the Scram Jet's blistering run across the Pacific at 7,000 MPH+, "Balls 8" was, at one time or another, at the center of the known universe for thousands of scientists, engineers, pilots and maintainers. Her "passing" is indeed a milestone and she will be missed. It hasn't been a good year for these winged icons...the last of... Attila of Argghhh!)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com Actually, they do. You just have to know how to listen.

In this case, what you would learn would go a long way in getting you to understand and appreciate the Golden Age of aviation. From Scott Crossfield's blazing ascents into near-space to the Scram Jet's blistering run across the Pacific at 7,000 MPH+, "Balls 8" was, at one time or another, at the center of the known universe for thousands of scientists, engineers, pilots and maintainers. Her "passing" is indeed a milestone and she will be missed.

It hasn't been a good year for these winged icons...the last of the KC-135s that helped train astronauts and supported Hollywood film crews (among other things), affectionately known as the Vomit Comet (sorry), was also retired.

By the way, if you want to get a good feel for what the test pilots faced during the Golden Age, dig a little deeper into Crossfield's experiences as a test guy (the link above is a good start). I'm willing to bet not many have seen the explosion on the test stand that Scott was, quite literally, sitting in front of when it occurred (the X-15 rockets were a tad tempermental)...or the landing he made in the X-15 where the thing broke in half on landing skid (as opposed to a landing roll--the only wheels were on the nose gear). For some pretty cool overall X-15 footage, go here.

BTW, pilots define "Golden Age" as that time when the adult supervision didn't know enough about the risks to say you couldn't do stuff. I call it the Constitutional Period--anything not specifically prohibited was allowed. Heh.

Instapilot

]]> tag:www.thedonovan.com,2004://1.3305-comment:10665 Comment from Pitts on 2004-12-23 Pitts The NASA "Vomit Comet" appeared two weeks ago at the Pima Air & Space Museum here in Tucson, where it'll have an honored (if somewhat dusty) home close to NASA's older NB-52A, #0003, which also launched the X-15. I saw it just after they towed it over to the Museum, and man, is that an immaculate airplane.... 2004-12-24T05:00:06Z 2004-12-24T05:00:06Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2004://1.3305-comment:10575 Comment from Silk on 2004-12-20 Silk This is an example why I enjoy reading the posts in this blog. It is good to see someone who loves aircraft the same way I do. I worked on AWACS and JSTARS in the Air Force and now test and fly (the back end systems) JSTARS for a DoD contractor. They do talk. You learn what they have to say and what they need over time. There's something special about aviation. Its history is exciting and full of great stories. Thanks for bringing some of it to us. Keep up the good work. 2004-12-21T02:30:29Z 2004-12-21T02:30:29Z