Edwards Flight Test Nation

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Edwards Flight Test Nation 2009

Where? Edwards AFB, California
When? 17/10/2009

Flight Test Nation 2009 astounded 225,000 visitors from across the world as they got the opportunity to see some of the nation's newest aircraft along with various historical ones. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the X-15, FTN-09 was the first Air Show hosted by Team Edwards since 2006.

To kick off the aerial demonstrations, famed X-15 pilot, Maj. Gen. Joe Engle and the first person to break the sound barrier, Brig. Ben. Chuck Yeager, broke the sound barrier in two F-16 Fighting Falcons

Opening Flight - Sonic Boom with 2x F-16

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F-15 test version "The public was exposed to what I believe was the greatest collection of aircraft ever amassed at an Air Show," said General Eichhorn. "The F-35 Lightening II made its Air Show debut! The White Knight II flew by and was put on static display next to it older brother White Knight I. National Test Pilot School at Mojave brought over some of their aircraft and Global Hawk was basking in the public glow as well. There was a long line of people to go through the NASA SOPHIA Boeing 747. All this and our regular stable of aircraft which includes (F-22) Raptors, (T-38) Talons, (F-16) Vipers, BUFFs, BONEs, (B-2) Spirits, (F/A-18) Hornets, (F-15) Eagles, etc, etc, etc. All Edwards has to do to have a great show is open the hangar doors but we did so much more!"

Combined with the gorgeous blue sky the aerial demonstrations of the USAF's Solo Display Teams were a great treat, and of course the great formation - the Air Force Flight Test Center fly by - of the Edwards-based test aircraft was THE highlight of the show, closing the event, which featured various aircraft currently being tested here. It included also a bomber 3-ship formation of B-52, B-1 and the B-2 stealth bomber. Somehow I had the feeling that Edwards is the only place where you get to see a nice top-side pass of the B-2, the only real way to appreciate its astonishing shape.