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Pete Knight

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description Pete Knight Overview

William "Pete" Knight was a United States Air Force test pilot and politician. On October 3, 1967, he set the world speed record for a winged crewed aircraft by flying the X-15 at Mach 6.70 (4,520 mph). This speed record remains unbroken for crewed winged aircraft. Following his military aviation career, he served as a California State Senator.

help Pete Knight FAQ

What speed did Pete Knight reach in the X-15?

On October 3, 1967, Knight flew the X-15A-2 to Mach 6.70, approximately 4,520 mph. NASA identifies it as the unofficial world speed record for a piloted winged vehicle. [NASA X-15 history](https://www.nasa.gov/reference/x-15/)

Why was the X-15A-2 different from the standard X-15?

The X-15A-2 was modified with external fuel tanks and an ablative coating to support its extreme-speed mission. The white coating visible in photographs helped protect the aircraft from the heat generated during the Mach 6.70 flight.

Did Pete Knight fly higher than Joe Walker?

Knight set the X-15 speed record, while Joe Walker set the program’s altitude record. Walker reached 354,200 feet in 1963, whereas Knight’s famous 1967 mission was primarily a maximum-speed flight.

What did Pete Knight do after his aviation career?

Knight later entered politics and served in the California State Assembly. His public career followed his work as a U.S. Air Force test pilot at Edwards and his record-setting X-15 flight.