X-Racer at Osh Kosh

In 2008, the X-Racer travelled to EAA AirVenture, the largest airshow in the world, held each year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (videos) (photos) The X-Racer completed three successful flights, each one starting and finishing absolutely on time. These three flights were conducted under the FAAs experimental/exhibition certification, and were fully insured by an aviation insurance company. XCOR remains the only company in the world to have exhibited and flown a rocket powered aircraft at an airshow in the western hemisphere. This is XCORs second rocket vehicle that has been certificated to perform before the public.

During AirVenture flight #2, the XCOR team was asked 20 minutes before our scheduled flight time to move our flight up by 15 minutes. We were easily able to accommodate the schedule change. Our propulsion systems and vehicles are designed with practicality and flexibility in mind, being able to both hold short or move up our flight time with a minimum of effort. Our later X-Racer test flights in Mojave were scheduled as part of the airports normal traffic, including general aviation and other experimental class aircraft. Our vehicles take off as powered aircraft and land as gliders, with re-start capability for go-arounds provided sufficient fuel on board.

Other Records

The X-Racer holds claim to several other records, including most flights in one day on a manned rocket powered aircraft, and fastest turnaround time for a manned rocket powered vehicle. Flight #40, the last flight, was an up-and-away flight to 12,800 feet lasting over 20 minutes, setting an XCOR company record. It is also the only known rocket powered airplane to have performed several touch-and go maneuvers, including with and without a person in the right seat.

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Travel & Events

Tags:

• Space flight
• suborbital space flight
• edge of space
• near space
• black above
• blue below