A. Scott Crossfield served as a U.S.
Navy fighter pilot and flight instructor in World War II but never saw combat action before he eventually joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) which would later be known as NASA . Crossfield’s flying expertise, dedication, and technical acumen quickly landed him on the flight line as a test pilot. NACA recognized his passion and skill as an aviator as well as the ambition he carried that would be necessary for the high-stakes test flights of the NACA X-plane program.
Scott Crossfield, born in 1921, began his storied career with an education in aeronautics from the University of Washington. Crossfield's post-war career was distinguished by his missions in experimental jets. His pioneering spirit, meticulous nature and strong understanding of engineering earned him respect in the field and positioned him as a central figure in the supersonic era.
His contributions, both as a pilot and in aeronautical research & development , were instrumental in the early days of the jet age. Breaking Mach 2 in the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket On November 20, 1953, Crossfield achieved a historic milestone in aviation when he became the first pilot to fly at Mach 2. Piloting the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket, Crossfield reached speeds of 1,291 mph, marking a record-breaking achievement.
The aircraft, powered by a rocket engine and launched from a B-52 Superfortress, was designed specifically for its supersonic research mission. “Scott Cr.
