Sat, Jan 13, 2007
Col. Joseph Kittinger Holds Record For Highest Parachute
Jump
Colonel Joseph W. Kittinger,
USAF-Ret., will be honored by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) when it
renames its Austin, TX-based TX-352 squadron in his honor during a
special ceremony on January 23 at Austin-Bergstrom International
Airport. Kittinger holds the longstanding record for the highest
parachute jump in history, from 102,800 feet, achieved on August
16, 1960.
Then-Captain Kittinger, test director of the Project Excelsior
government research project, piloted a gas balloon to the high
altitude and jumped from his open capsule in -94 degree F
temperatures above the New Mexico desert. He reached the speed of
sound as he sped through the stratosphere in a four minute,
thirty-seven second free-fall before opening his parachute at
17,500 feet and continuing safely to earth.
The historic 15-minute journey became known as the Long Lonely
Leap, and heralded the beginning of the manned space-race.
Kittinger is the subject of two books, The Long Lonely Leap and The
Pre-Astronauts. He also served multiple tours as an F-4D Phantom II
pilot in Vietnam and was one of the few Air Commandos to score a
victory over a MiG-21.
Toward the war's end he was shot down and spent 11 months in the
Hanoi Hilton. Kittinger also holds many aviation and aeronautical
records, including the first solo crossing of the Atlantic in a
balloon in 1984.
The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at TxDOT Flight Services, 10335
Golf Course Rd. in Austin. The program will include film footage
and several speeches by CAP members, as well as a patriotic lecture
by Colonel Kittinger. The public is invited to attend the free
event.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]