description Mel Apt Overview
Mel Apt was a U.S. Air Force test pilot who flew the Bell X-2, a rocket-powered research aircraft built to investigate high-speed flight. On September 27, 1956, Apt became the first pilot to exceed Mach 3, reaching about Mach 3.2 at high altitude. The flight ended when the X-2 entered an uncontrolled tumble during the return portion, and Apt was killed when the aircraft could not be recovered.
help Mel Apt FAQ
What aircraft did Mel Apt fly?
He flew the Bell X-2, a rocket-powered research aircraft built to investigate high-speed flight. The X-2 was not a frontline fighter, but an experimental test vehicle.
What record did Mel Apt set?
On September 27, 1956, Apt became the first pilot to exceed Mach 3. He reached about Mach 3.2 at high altitude in the Bell X-2.
What happened at the end of the record flight?
After reaching about Mach 3.2, the X-2 lost control and entered a violent tumble. Apt could not recover the aircraft and died in the crash, which ended one of the most important early high-speed test flights.
Why is Mel Apt important in aviation history?
His 1956 flight showed that a piloted aircraft could pass Mach 3, a major milestone in the X-2 research program. The achievement is inseparable from the danger of the test because the Bell X-2 was lost on that same flight.
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