Tue, Nov 06, 2007
'White Rocket' To Go On Display At NGC Facility Near LAX
The first production-configuration
T-38 pilot training aircraft built for the US Air Force by Northrop
Grumman landed Monday at Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX) and rolled to a stop for the very last time.
The sleek, white supersonic aircraft now sporting a NASA logo, a
blue nose-to-tail racing stripe and tail number N963, came to rest
on the tarmac outside the former LAX Imperial terminal -- now home
to the Flight Path Learning Center & Museum -- where company
executives, employees and aviation enthusiasts had been waiting
excitedly to witness aviation history.
After 46 years of serving the pilot training needs of the Air
Force, the US Navy and NASA, the Hawthorne, CA-built N963 and the
oldest T-38 trainer still flying, was home.
"T-38 trainers, known to pilots as the 'White Rocket,' have been
in service since 1961, preparing an estimated 80,000 military
pilots to fly front line fighters and bombers," said George
Vardoulakis, vice president of tactical systems for F/A-18 programs
for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "They continue to
be among the safest, most reliable and highest performing
supersonic aircraft in service today, a testament to Northrop
Grumman's enduring strength as a first tier designer, developer,
producer and maintainer of manned military aircraft."
Approximately 700 of the 1187 T-38s built from 1959 to 1972
remain operational today, he added.
N963, which has spent its last 16 years training NASA shuttle
pilots, was officially retired earlier this spring. The company
plans to put the plane on permanent static display at Integrated
Systems' sector headquarters in El Segundo.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]