It has been a while without posing an aviation quiz so here is a new one to ponder.
1. Name the world's largest aircraft by wingspan ever to successfully fly.
2. What is the exact wingspan in feet?
3. From where aboard does the pilot fly the airplane? Be specific.
4. Who built the aircraft?
5. Who was the first test pilot to fly it, by name?
6. What does the owner call the aircraft?
And 7. (I just couldn't resist this question). How many takeoff/ landing wheels does the aircraft have?
1. Stratolaunch
2. 385 feet
3. pilot/co-pilot/navigator use the right fuselage cockpit, left is not pressurized
4. Scaled Composits/Paul Allen
5. Evan Thomas
6. Roc
7. A total of 28 wheels carry the ship
Canonman, I salute you! Perfect correct answers on every question.
The name ROC is from the giant eagle of Arabian mythology. The Stratolaunch one-of-a-kind is the largest aircraft ever to fly. The plan is to be an airborne space launch platform to lift a rocket into thin atmosphere at 35,000 ft, where it would be drop-launched. The relatively small Northrop Grumman Pegasus is planned to be first launched from the Stratolaunch behemoth.
The all-composite aircraft "borrows" its engines, hydraulic system, avionics and landing gear from two retired 747-400 airliners. First flight was April 13, 2019.
Thank you for your quick and completely accurate response.