I remember my father discussing coffin corner. He was a test pilot on the Boeing B-47. It was the first USAF swept wing bomber. I believe he was the first in that aircraft to “find” coffin corner. I was vey young at the time, but I recall he escaped by lowering the landing gear to increase drag and lower the critical Mach number. There were a number of other issues like aileron reversal and discovering the stall speed was much higher than predicted. The B-47 was the basis for the Boeing 707.
I’m not a pilot, but am from a family of engineers, and when I researched commercial flight—specifically air speed—I learned why all passenger jets fly at *roughly* the same speed and altitude. We fly on the back of so much applied science and engineering.
I remember my father discussing coffin corner. He was a test pilot on the Boeing B-47. It was the first USAF swept wing bomber. I believe he was the first in that aircraft to “find” coffin corner. I was vey young at the time, but I recall he escaped by lowering the landing gear to increase drag and lower the critical Mach number. There were a number of other issues like aileron reversal and discovering the stall speed was much higher than predicted. The B-47 was the basis for the Boeing 707.
The U-2 was what first came to my mind as I began reading. Excellent explanation
Thank you for the details!
I’m not a pilot, but am from a family of engineers, and when I researched commercial flight—specifically air speed—I learned why all passenger jets fly at *roughly* the same speed and altitude. We fly on the back of so much applied science and engineering.
Can u imagine General Yeager in the Glamourous Glennis?
So interesting! Love the insight into the lesser-known (to the public) details about flying…and on a level that everyone can understand.😊