THE first pilot to break the sound barrier will be the guest of honour at Avalon’s International airshow in March.
American General Charles “Chuck” Yeager, who retired from active military flying after more than 60 years in 2002, will attend the Australian International Air Show, visiting ground displays, talking to fellow pilots, and carrying out ceremonial duties.
The 83-year-old former pilot, who was the subject of the Hollywood film, “the Right Stuff” is a decorated fighter World War II ace.
He was credited with shooting down a total of 13 enemy aircraft, including five German planes on a single day.
After the War, he was selected to be an USAir Force test pilot.
On 14 October 1947, he became the first man to travel faster than the speed of sound, recording a speed of 700 miles an hour (Mach 1.06) in his jet-powered Bell X-1.
The general went on to head the US Air Force’s test pilot program – a project that produced the first generation of NASA astronauts.
The Avalon airshow will be open to the general public from 23 March to 25 March, 2007.
It is expected to attract around 200,000 aircraft enthusiasts and pilots from across the country and even internationally.
