Chuck Yeager

Who He Is: 

In 1947, U.S. Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier, flying faster than the speed of sound in the Bell X-1. Yeager went on to have a long military career as a test pilot and general, pushing the limits of what aircraft could do.

 

Why He Matters: 

Yeager’s courage and precision showed how test pilots expand the boundaries of human achievement. His flight marked a new era of supersonic travel and inspired generations of aviators and engineers. He reminds students that science, bravery, and persistence can take us beyond old limits.