The First Supersonic Flight Captain Charles E Yeager Breaks the Sound Barrier On October 14, 1947, Captain Charles E. Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier, flying the Bell X-1 rocket-powered aircraft at Mach 1. 45 (1,060 mph) and reaching an altitude of 45,000 feet. This historic flight marked a significant milestone in aviation history and paved the way for supersonic flight technology. The story of Captain Yeager's achievement is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and determination. Born in Myrtle, West Virginia, Yeager was raised in a poor family and dropped out of school in the eighth grade to work on the family farm. However, his fascination with airplanes led him to join the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he quickly rose through the ranks and became a skilled pilot. After the war, Yeager was selected as one of the original pilots for the newly formed National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA.

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