According to the record-setting test pilot’s Twitter page, General Chuck Yeager died just before 9 p.m. on 7 December. He was 97 years old.
Yeager, a retired United States Army Air Force officer, in 1947 became the first pilot in history confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight.
In 1966, Yeager was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame. In 1973, Yeager was the recipient of what is perceived as one of aviation’s highest honours – he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
In 1974, Yeager received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
He was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1981.