Obit watch: May 8, 2014.

Bill Dana, legendary NASA test pilot.

Dana flew the sleek, black aircraft 16 times, reaching a top speed of 3,897 mph and a peak altitude of 306,900 feet. He started flying the aircraft in 1965 and was the last man to fly it in 1968.

That “sleek, black aircraft” was the X-15. Dana earned astronaut wings for two of his X-15 flights.

Over Dana’s 48-year career, he flew more than 8,000 hours in more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters and wingless experimental rocket planes.

One Response to “Obit watch: May 8, 2014.”

  1. guffaw says:

    Thank God it wasn’t Jose Jimenez!

    Godspeed, Mr. Dana.

    R.I.P.

    gfa