Quantcast

Bell X-1: Breaking barriers in aviation history

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Bell X-1: Breaking barriers in aviation history
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The Bell X-1 is renowned for being the first aircraft to break the sound barrier, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. On October 14, 1947, US Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager piloted the aircraft over California, achieving controlled supersonic flight. This accomplishment was detailed by the National Air and Space Museum as a pivotal moment that challenged previous assumptions about aerodynamic limits.

Nicknamed "Glamorous Glennis" after Yeager's wife, the Bell X-1 reached Mach 1.06, approximately 807 mph or 1,299 km/h. This achievement demonstrated that it was possible to safely traverse what was once considered an insurmountable "sound barrier," contributing significantly to aerospace engineering advancements.

The Bell X-1 was powered by a Reaction Motors XLR-11 liquid-fueled rocket engine. The Smithsonian noted this engine's capability of producing up to 6,000 pounds of thrust. The use of liquid oxygen and alcohol as propellants required careful handling but provided necessary power for breaking the sound barrier during test flights.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

According to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, engineers designed the Bell X-1 with inspiration from a .50 caliber bullet due to its stability at high speeds. The aircraft featured a cigar-shaped fuselage and thin wings aimed at minimizing drag and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.

Though not intended for practical use, the Bell X-1 laid foundational groundwork for future military and commercial supersonic jets and influenced space exploration technologies. NASA highlighted its role in inspiring other aircraft such as the F-100 Super Sabre and Concorde.

Despite its short program duration from 1946 to 1951 with only 78 flights conducted, its impact on aviation technology was substantial. Today, it is preserved at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum as a testament to its transformative role in aviation history.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a close encounter between a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a U.S. Air Force T-38 jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Apr 2, 2025

London Heathrow to New York’s JFK ranks as the busiest international route from Europe, according to recent data.

Apr 2, 2025

European airlines have reported stable demand for transatlantic travel despite ongoing political and trade tensions related to recent US policies.

Apr 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 remains a prominent player in the aviation industry, lauded for its capabilities and popularity among airlines, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Apr 2, 2025

On March 29, 2025, Alaska Airlines announced plans to resume Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) starting in June.

Apr 2, 2025

Alaska Airlines is planning to introduce flights to Europe in 2026 following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, which now allows it access to long-haul aircraft.

Apr 2, 2025