Please join us on Friday, October 14th, to commemorate the 75th anniversary, to the day, of the Bell X-1 breaking the sound barrier on October 14th, 1947. The very first X-plane, then known as the XS-1 for eXperimental Supersonic, this record-breaking aircraft was designed and built at the Bell plant in Niagara Falls less than 400 yards from where we will be having dinner. The evening will include viewing and photo opportunities with Calspan’s stunning full-size X-1 replica in their lobby as well as walking tours, weather permitting, to the exact location where the X-1 was loaded on to the B-29 carrier aircraft shown above.
Our keynote speaker for the evening will be Dr. Richard Hallion, past Chief Historian of the United States Air Force and author of numerous books and articles on the X-1 and supersonic flight. He will speak on “Buffalo, Bell, and the XS-1: A 75th Anniversary Perspective.” Dr. Hallion will be introduced by Dr. Bill Barry, past NASA Chief Historian, who will discuss the roots of Dr. Hallion's X-1 research in the NASA History Office. Given the historic location, tours, and speakers, don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate one of the most significant aerospace achievements to come out of Western New York.
Friday, October 14th, Calspan Flight Research, 2041 Niagara Falls Blvd, Niagara Falls
Tours begin at 5 PM; beer, wine and appetizers at 5:30; buffet dinner at 6:45; presentation at 8:00.
Cost: $50 per person, $25 for full-time students
RSVP by Friday, Oct 7th with names and if member, guest or student to Pam Crassidis at: nf.aiaa@gmail.com
Pay online at www.paypal.me/aiaanfs or by check payable to “Niagara Frontier AIAA” and send to:
Don Nixon, 11854 Wiscoy Road, Portageville, NY 14536