Joe Engle, the Last Living X-15 Pilot, Passed Away July 10 At the Age of 91

clovis (Slashdot reader #4,684) writes: Joe Engle received his astronaut wings in a ceremony on July 15, 1965, for his flight in the hypersonic aircraft, reaching an altitude of 50 miles above the Earth. At 32, he was the youngest man to become an astronaut.

Later, he entered the Apollo program and eventually commanded the STS-2 flight of the Space Shuttle.

Here is an interview from 2004. I thought it was interesting that they used the F-104 as the chase plane and for training because the flight characteristics were so similar, which says a lot about the F-104.

Anyway, the X-15 project was a big deal for us science/geek types back when I was a kid. I wonder if it's something today's generation is even aware of.

He unfortunately also had the distinction..

[GFS666]

..of being replaced as the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 17 by Harrison Schmidt, the only Astronaut Scientist to fly to the moon. Joe was just in the wrong place at the end of the Apollo program. Rest in peace Good Sir.

Happy Trails

[walkerp1]

Wow, what a great interview. I'd almost forgotten what great journalism looks like, so this was a fantastic read. I remember the X-15 project from news articles, but aeronautics was never my specialization. Nevertheless, the stories of pioneers like Engle were the adventures I devoured in my youth. So, my hat's off to Mr. Engle and his family.

X-15 encounter

[dsgrntlxmply]

As a kid, I was captivated by the Revell plastic model kit of the X-15, and by everything that I could read about it. My elementary school playground had a clear view to the Riverside freeway. One day during recess, I spotted what looked like an X-15 fuselage on a semi-truck trailer heading in the direction of the desert. That certainly made my day.

Long Gizmodo article about X-15

[quonset]

This lengthy article [gizmodo.com.au] from Gizmodo Australia is about the history of the X-15, the fastest manned aircraft in North America. Many pictures, including one of the late Captain Joseph Engle and other test pilots, though they are bundled up in their suits and facing away from the camera.

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

bye boomer

Dumbass.
It says in the title that he was 91 years old. Therefore, he was born in 1932 or 1933.
Not a boomer.
Get your GED before posting again, please.

Re:

[CaptQuark]

Actually, as Joe Engle flew the hypersonic X-15 which regularly broke the sound barrier, calling him a Boomer might be ironically appropriate. RIP.

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth ... Put out my hand, and touched the face of God." ~~ John Gillespie Magee Jr., RCAF pilot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]

Pilot longevity

[hambone142]

It's amazing to see how long some military pilots live. Often in their 90's and low 100's.

Re:Pilot longevity

[ClickOnThis]

It's amazing to see how long some military pilots live. Often in their 90's and low 100's.

I'll make a guess that it's because, in order to be a military pilot, you need to be in the upper percentile health-wise.

Exceptional longevity is one thing. I'd also like to see the median lifetime.