Jackie Cochran

During her extraordinary 40-year flying career, aviation pioneer Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran established more speed, altitude and distance records than any other pilot, male or female, in aviation history. While flying a USAF F-88A Sabre here at Edwards, she became the first woman to exceed the speed of sound in May 1953.<br><br> Upon her return to Edwards in 1961, she set eight major world records in a T-38 Talon, including a top speed of 844.2 mph over a 15 km course on 24 August and a peak altitude of 56,071 feet on 12 October. In 1964, she flew an F-104G Starfighter at Edwards and set a new series of world records, including a new international women's speed record of 1,429.3 mph.<br><br> While this F-104A is a different model than the one Jackie Cochran used to set her records, this dedication serves to honor a true legend in aviation. <br><center>-Jackie Cochran Day-<br> 16 May 2003</center><br> <i>Lower Plaque:</i> <center>Dedicated 16 May 2003 by<br> Major General Doug Pearson<br> Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center<br> and <br> Brigadier General Chuck Yeager</center>