Deseret News archives: Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947. 65 years later, he did it again

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On Oct. 14, 1947, U.S. Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager became the first test pilot to break the sound barrier as he flew the experimental Bell XS-1 rocket plane over Muroc Dry Lake in California.

It was a heady day for Americans, who continued to battle the Soviets over exploits in the air.

Yeager, then a 24-year-old captain, pushed an orange, bullet-shaped Bell X-1 rocket plane past 660 mph to break the sound barrier, at the time a daunting aviation milestone.

“Sure, I was apprehensive,” he told the Air Force Times in 1968. “When you’re fooling around with something you don’t know much about, there has to be apprehension. But you don’t let that affect your job.”

The modest Yeager said in 1947 he could have gone even faster had the plane carried more fuel. He said the ride “was nice, just like riding fast in a car.”

On Oct. 14, 2012, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, at the age of 89, marked the 65th anniversary of his supersonic flight by smashing through the sound barrier again, this time in the backseat of an F-15 that took off from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Here are some stories from Deseret News archives on Yeager and his career:

“ Yeager flew into history 50 years ago ”

“ U.S. celebrates 50 supersonic years ”

“ Yeager recalls his days in cockpit of WWII fighter ”

“ Sonic boom is last for Yeager ”

“ Yeager plans a big bash to mark his historic flight ”

“ Chuck Yeager, pilot who broke the sound barrier, dies at 97 ″

“ Don’t be a flake if you want breakfast with pilot ”

“ P-51 ‘Mustang’ that terrorized foes during WWII ‘lands’ at Hill Museum”