Throwing Caution to the Wind Trivia Quiz

Answer: Author

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a daring aviator and test pilot, whose life was deeply intertwined with aviation. His experiences as a pilot heavily influenced his writing, particularly his themes of solitude, adventure, and the human condition. He is better known as the author of "The Little Prince" ("Le Petit Prince") which is still a beloved children's book.

Born on June 29, 1900, in France, Saint-Exupéry's fascination with aviation began at a young age. He became a pilot in 1921, when he joined the French Air Force during his military service. After earning his wings, he became a civilian pilot, flying dangerous airmail routes for companies like Aéropostale, often traversing remote and perilous regions, such as the Sahara Desert and the Andes Mountains.

Saint-Exupéry's skills as a pilot naturally led him to take on test piloting roles, particularly during the interwar years when aviation was rapidly evolving. Test pilots at the time were tasked with flying experimental aircraft that often involved significant risks, as the planes they flew were cutting-edge and not fully proven. Saint-Exupéry's courage, technical knowledge, and flying ability made him well-suited for these demanding roles.

When World War II broke out, Saint-Exupéry's experience as a pilot made him a valuable asset to the French Air Force. In 1939, he rejoined the French military, flying reconnaissance missions in an F-5, a photo-reconnaissance version of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Though in his 40s and considered too old by some for such dangerous missions, Saint-Exupéry was insistent on contributing to the war effort.

On July 31, 1944, during a reconnaissance mission over the Mediterranean, Saint-Exupéry disappeared. He was flying a Lockheed F-5B, an unarmed, high-performance aircraft used for reconnaissance. This mission was essentially a test flight, as reconnaissance flying during wartime required both advanced skill and a willingness to face dangerous, unproven situations. The cause of his disappearance remains a mystery, although some believe he was shot down by a German fighter, while others speculate mechanical failure or fatigue contributed to his crash. His body was never recovered, but wreckage from his plane was found off the coast of Marseille in 1998, well off course. This was confirmed in 2004 after extensive searches, though not much of the plane was ultimately recovered.

Pictured: A Caudron C.60, the plane Saint-Exupéry crashed in the Sahara and inspired the story of "Le Petit Prince".

Answer: Land a jet on an aircraft carrier

Eric Melrose Brown was born on January 21, 1919, in Scotland. His father had served as a pilot during World War I, and it was through him that young Eric developed an interest in flying. At the young age of 18, Brown experienced his first flight in a Gloster Gauntlet biplane, sitting in the cockpit beside his father's wartime colleague, Ernst Udet, a famous German World War I ace. This formative experience planted the seeds for Brown's fascination with flying. His nickname, "Winkle," came from his small stature-he stood only 5 feet 7 inches tall - which earned him the nickname from his friends, referring to a small shellfish. This name would stick with him throughout his life.

When World War II broke out in 1939, Brown was in Germany as part of an exchange program. As the war began, he was briefly detained by the SS before being released and returned to Britain. He immediately joined the Fleet Air Arm, the aerial warfare branch of the Royal Navy. During the war, Brown flew fighters from aircraft carriers, becoming the first to land a jet on a flat-top. He became highly skilled at these carrier landings, an incredibly challenging task due to the limited space and seemingly unpredictable motion of the carrier deck. His exceptional ability to land aircraft on carriers, even in rough seas, contributed to his legendary status as a naval aviator.

Brown's career as a test pilot truly began during World War II. His proficiency as a pilot, combined with his linguistic skills (he spoke German fluently), made him invaluable to the British war effort, especially as new and experimental aircraft were developed. Brown was transferred to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough in 1943, where he began testing various new aircraft types, often ones that were difficult or dangerous to fly.

One of Brown's most astonishing achievements was flying 487 different types of aircraft during his career, a feat that remains a world record. These aircraft included everything from biplanes and piston-engine fighters to early jet aircraft and even helicopters. In addition to the sheer number of aircraft he flew, Brown also holds the record for most aircraft carrier landings (2,407), another testament to his extraordinary ability as a naval aviator.

Pictured: A de Havilland Vampire FB52, the first jet plane to land on an aircraft carrier.

Answer: Faster than Mach 6

William John "Pete" Knight was born in Indiana, USA, and raised in a small-town Midwestern environment. From a young age, he was interested in aviation and wanted to become a pilot. He attended Butler University and then transferred to Purdue University, where he studied engineering. Knight enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 and began his flight training which led to a distinguished career as a military and test pilot.

After completing flight training, Knight was assigned to fly F-86 Sabres and later the F-100 Super Sabre. He saw combat during the Korean War, where he flew numerous sorties and distinguished himself as a skilled pilot. His early military career laid the foundation for his later achievements in the field of experimental flight testing. Knight's career as a test pilot began in earnest after he graduated from the Air Force's Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California in 1958. Edwards was the epicenter of experimental aircraft testing in the US, and Knight's technical skills, discipline, and calm demeanor made him an ideal candidate for flying high-risk, cutting-edge aircraft.

Knight is best known for his involvement in the X-15 program, an experimental research aircraft program jointly run by NASA and the U.S. Air Force, aimed at exploring the edge of space and advancing knowledge of high-speed, high-altitude flight. The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly at speeds and altitudes far beyond what was possible with conventional aircraft. Knight joined the X-15 program in 1960 and flew a total of sixteen missions. His most famous flight occurred on October 3, 1967, when he flew the X-15 to a speed of Mach 6.7 (approximately 7,274 km/h), setting a world speed record for a piloted aircraft.

On a different flight, a few days later, Knight flew to an altitude of 85.5 kilometers. As per the US definition, this was above the 80km mark that defined the boundary of space and qualified him for astronaut wings. Interestingly, Neil Armstrong was also part of this program but did not cross the 80km mark, meaning he had to get his astronaut wings the hard way...

Answer: Yeager

Chuck Yeager was one of the most famous and influential test pilots in aviation history, known primarily for being the first person to break the sound barrier. His life and career were characterized by exceptional skill, bravery, and a series of groundbreaking achievements that left an enduring legacy in both military and civilian aviation.

Born in West Virginia to a working class family, Yeager initially did not have many opportunities in life. When World War II hit, he enlisted as an Air Force mechanic but was always looking for more opportunities. When the "flying sergeants" program was offered, Yeager eagerly volunteered for flight training and eventually was assigned to the European theater. Flying the P-51 Mustang for the majority of his service, he was shot down over France and had to be helped back to safety by the resistance.

This incident should have ended his flying career as military intelligence had declared that anyone who had been helped by the Resistance would be a liability if they were to be captured. However, Yeager appealed all the way up to Eisenhower and was eventually reinstated. Punctuating this decision was when he made "ace in a day" by having five confirmed kills in one sortie. He ended the war decorated with both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star.

After the war, Yeager became a test pilot for the Air Force. On October 14, 1947, while piloting the experimental Bell X-1 rocket plane, Yeager became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound. The X-1 was launched from the bomb bay of a B-29 Superfortress, and Yeager reached Mach 1.06 (about 1,123 km/h) at an altitude of 13,000 meters, making history by breaking the sound barrier.

Pictured: The Bell X-1 which broke the sound barrier.

Answer: Aircraft designer

Vladimir Sergeyevich Ilyushin was a distinguished Soviet test pilot and engineer, famous for his work in the development and testing of many aircraft in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He earned his own place in the annals of aviation history through his remarkable skill as a test pilot. He attending aviation schools and learned to fly as a teenager. His talents in engineering and flying led him to become a test pilot - a position of great responsibility and danger during an era when aircraft development involved significant risk.

His father was Sergei Ilyushin who was the head of the Ilyushin Design Bureau and the designer of the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik, one of the most mass-produced military aircraft in history. However, interestingly, Vladimir flew mainly as a test pilot for the Sukhoi Design Bureau, a rival to his father's. Ilyushin's test flights were often dangerous, as they involved pushing new aircraft to their limits. Test pilots like him were essential to the process of refining aircraft performance and ensuring that new models were safe for production and deployment. His achievements in this field were recognized through many honours, including the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1961, the highest distinction in the country.

In addition to his remarkable career as a test pilot and engineer, Vladimir Ilyushin had a notable passion for sports, particularly rugby. He was deeply involved in promoting and developing rugby in the Soviet Union during the mid-20th century. While rugby was not a mainstream sport in the USSR, Ilyushin played a key role in raising its profile and helping it gain a foothold in the country.

Pictured: A Sukhoi Su-15, one of the many planes that Vladimir Ilyushin test-piloted.

Answer: De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito

Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. and his younger brother John de Havilland were both highly talented British test pilots and the sons of the famous aircraft designer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, who founded the de Havilland Aircraft Company.

Geoffrey Jr. was born in 1910 and his brother John was born in 1918. They were both deeply passionate about aviation and followed in their father's footsteps to become test pilots. During World War II, both played a critical role in the testing and development of several key aircraft, particularly the de Havilland Mosquito, one of the most versatile and effective British aircraft of the war. The Mosquito was used in various roles, including as a fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance plane, and its wooden construction made it lightweight and fast, earning it the nickname "The Wooden Wonder".

John de Havilland's career was tragically cut short on August 23, 1943, when he was involved in a fatal mid-air collision. During a test flight, John was flying one de Havilland Mosquito while George Gibbins was flying the other. They were conducting formation flying tests when John's aircraft accidentally collided with George's. Both Mosquitos broke up in mid-air, killing all involved.

Sadly, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr.'s life was also cut short in a tragic accident. On September 27, 1946, while testing the experimental de Havilland DH 108 Swallow, a tailless, swept-wing jet aircraft, Geoffrey Jr. was killed when the aircraft broke up in mid-air over the Thames Estuary. The DH 108 was designed to explore the effects of high-speed flight, particularly in preparation for supersonic travel, but its handling characteristics were not fully understood. During a test dive, the aircraft disintegrated due to the intense aerodynamic forces, killing Geoffrey instantly.

The other three planes listed as the incorrect answers were American planes that were used in World War II.

Pictured: A de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito similar to the one that cost John his life.

Answer: He died when his plane destabilized upon reentry

Mel Apt was born in Kansas, USA, in 1924. Like many test pilots of his generation, Apt came from a military background. He enlisted in the US Air Force during World War II and served as a combat pilot, flying P-40 Warhawks and P-47 Thunderbolts in the Pacific theatre. After the war, Apt continued his career in the Air Force and eventually became a test pilot - one of the most dangerous and elite professions in aviation at the time.

In the 1950s, Apt became a key figure in the Bell X-2 program, which aimed to explore high-speed, high-altitude flight at speeds beyond Mach 2. The X-2 was a rocket-powered aircraft designed to break new records and solve some of the mysteries of flight at the edge of space, where aerodynamic forces behave unpredictably.

On September 27, 1956, Apt was selected for a historic mission: to become the first person to fly faster than Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound). The Bell X-2 had already pushed the boundaries of supersonic flight, but exceeding Mach 3 was a dangerous and unprecedented goal. For this flight, Apt would be dropped from a B-50 bomber at high altitude, after which he would ignite the X-2's rocket engine and accelerate to a speed no one had ever reached before.

Apt's historic flight began as planned, and the X-2 quickly accelerated to Mach 3.196 (about 3,370 km/h or 2,100 mph). This achievement made him the first pilot to exceed Mach 3, an incredible milestone in aviation history. However, shortly after reaching this record-breaking speed, disaster struck.

While attempting to turn the X-2 at such high velocity, Apt encountered a phenomenon called inertia coupling, a dangerous aerodynamic issue that was not fully understood at the time. Inertia coupling occurs when an aircraft's rotational motion becomes uncontrollable at extremely high speeds. As Apt tried to bank the X-2, it began to tumble and spin uncontrollably, something that test pilots had feared but had not yet experienced at such extreme speeds.

Apt attempted to regain control of the aircraft but was unable to stabilize it. He eventually activated the X-2's emergency escape capsule, but the capsule did not function as intended, and Apt was tragically killed when the aircraft crashed in the California desert. His death marked the loss of one of the brightest and most capable test pilots, mere moments after achieving aviation history.

Pictured: The Bell X-2, the plane which broke the Mach 3 barrier.

Answer: First woman to fly to space

Jacqueline Cochran was born Bessie Pittman in Florida, USA. She had little formal education as a child, but always a lot of ambition. From a young age, Cochran was determined to make a better life for herself. After working various jobs, she trained as a beautician and soon became a successful businesswoman in the cosmetics industry.

Cochran's life changed dramatically in the early 1930s when she took her first flying lesson. She immediately fell in love with flying and pursued aviation with the same drive she had shown in her business career. After only three weeks of flight training, she earned her pilot's license in 1932. This marked the beginning of a career in aviation that would lead her to break records and defy gender barriers.

Cochran quickly established herself as a talented and daring pilot, becoming one of the best-known female aviators of her time. She began participating in air races, including the prestigious Bendix Trophy Race, where she competed against both male and female pilots. In 1938, she became the first woman to win the Bendix Trophy, solidifying her reputation as a leading pilot. She was also the first woman to compete in the MacRobertson Air Race, a long-distance race from London to Melbourne.

As World War II approached, Cochran used her influence in the aviation world to advocate for women pilots to take on roles in the military. She believed that women could play a crucial part in the war effort by flying non-combat missions, thus freeing up male pilots for combat duty. Her efforts culminated in the creation of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program in 1943. Cochran oversaw the training of over 1,000 women pilots, who flew military aircraft across the United States, ferrying planes, towing targets, and conducting test flights. Although the WASP program was disbanded in 1944, the women who participated had logged millions of miles in military aircraft and proven that female pilots were just as capable as their male counterparts. For her efforts in the war, she became the first woman to get the Distinguished Service Medal.

After World War II, Cochran's aviation career continued to reach new heights. In 1953, she became the first woman to break the sound barrier, flying a Canadair F-86 Sabre jet to Mach 1. She achieved this feat with the assistance of Chuck Yeager. This accomplishment cemented her status as a trailblazer in the aviation world. She became the first woman to land and take off from an aircraft carrier, the first woman to fly a jet across the Atlantic, and the first pilot to fly faster than Mach 2. In total, she set more than 200 aviation records during her career.

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space as a Soviet cosmonaut.

Answer: Canada

Janusz Żurakowski was born on September 12, 1914, in Ryżawka, a small town in Poland (which is now part of Ukraine). His early fascination with aviation led him to attend the Polish Air Force Academy from which he graduated as a fighter pilot in 1935.

At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Żurakowski served in the Polish Air Force, flying PZL P.11 fighters against the German Luftwaffe during the invasion of Poland. Following Poland's defeat, he made his way through Romania and France before eventually arriving in the United Kingdom. He then joined the Royal Air Force to continue fighting the Axis powers. His aggressive flying style earned him a reputation as a skilled and fearless pilot.

After World War II, Żurakowski continued to distinguish himself in aviation by becoming a test pilot in the United Kingdom. He flew for the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down, where he tested a variety of advanced aircraft, including the Gloster Meteor, de Havilland Vampire, and Supermarine Swift.

In 1952, Żurakowski moved to Canada to work as a test pilot for Avro Canada, a Canadian aerospace company. His work at Avro Canada is perhaps his most famous contribution to aviation history, particularly his involvement in testing the CF-100 Canuck and the CF-105 Arrow. His contributions were critical to refining the design and capabilities of both these aircraft, despite the latter, the Arrow, being cancelled in a shocking move by the Canadian Government.

Pictured: An Avro CF-105 Arrow prototype, probably flown by Żurakowski himself.

Answer: Armstrong

Neil Armstrong is one of the most iconic figures in the history of space exploration, best known for being the first person to set foot on the Moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969. His life was filled with extraordinary accomplishments as a test pilot, astronaut, and later, a professor. Armstrong's calm demeanor, technical expertise, and humility made him a celebrated figure, both in the United States and worldwide.

Coming from Ohio, Neil Armstrong felt compelled to fly planes from a young age. When Armstrong was just six years old, he experienced his first airplane flight in a Ford Trimotor, also known as the "Tin Goose", which ignited a lifelong passion for flying. By the age of 16, Armstrong had earned his pilot's license, even before obtaining his driver's license!

Armstrong pursued his higher education at Purdue University on a Navy scholarship, majoring in aeronautical engineering. He was part of the second group of university students to benefit from the US Navy's Holloway Plan, which provided funds for future naval officers. His education was interrupted by the Korean War, during which Armstrong served as a Navy pilot. He flew 78 combat missions in the Grumman F9F Panther, a jet fighter, before returning to Purdue in 1952 to complete his degree. After the Korean War and completing his studies, Armstrong began working as a test pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA. He was based at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a key hub for experimental and high-speed aircraft testing.

As a test pilot, Armstrong flew a wide range of aircraft, including cutting-edge, high-performance planes like the North American X-15, a rocket-powered aircraft that could reach the edge of space. He flew the X-15 seven times, reaching altitudes as high as 207,500 feet (63 km) and speeds of Mach 5.74 (approximately 6,615 km/h).

In 1962, Neil Armstrong was selected to be part of NASA's second group of astronauts, often called the "New Nine". This was a crucial period in NASA's space program, as the agency was ramping up efforts to meet President Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. Armstrong's first spaceflight was Gemini 8 in March 1966, where he served as the command pilot. This mission was notable for achieving the first-ever docking of two spacecraft in orbit, a critical step toward the Moon landing. However, Armstrong's most famous accomplishment came as the commander of Apollo 11, the mission that successfully landed humans on the Moon.

Pictured: a US Navy Grumman F9F-2 Panther, one of the planes that Armstrong flew.