description Iven Kincheloe Overview
Iven Kincheloe was a United States Air Force test pilot and Korean War flying ace. In September 1956, he flew the Bell X-2 to an altitude of 126,200 feet, a record that earned him the informal title of "America's First Spaceman." He was known for his work in high-altitude research flight programs at Edwards Air Force Base. Kincheloe died in 1958 following an ejection accident during a flight test.
help Iven Kincheloe FAQ
How high did Iven Kincheloe fly the Bell X-2?
On September 7, 1956, Kincheloe reached 126,200 feet in the Bell X-2. That made him the first person to fly above 100,000 feet. [NASA X-2 milestone](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/50th-anniversary-of-two-historic-x-2-milestones-celebrated/)
Why was Iven Kincheloe called America’s First Spaceman?
The nickname came from his record-breaking X-2 flight above 100,000 feet during a period when the boundary between high-altitude aviation and spaceflight was still being debated. His flight reached near weightlessness at the top of the aircraft’s semi-ballistic climb.
Was Iven Kincheloe a combat pilot before becoming a test pilot?
Yes. He was recognized as a Korean War flying ace before joining the high-speed flight-test programs at Edwards Air Force Base.
What happened to Iven Kincheloe after the X-2 record?
Kincheloe was killed in July 1958 while flying an F-104 Starfighter at Edwards Air Force Base. The Society of Experimental Test Pilots later created the Iven C. Kincheloe Award in his memory.
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