Feb 15 1971
From The Space Library
Lockheed Aircraft Corp.'s second L-1011 TriStar, piloted by Lockheed test pilot Ralph C. Cokeley, made maiden flight from Lockheed facility at Palmdale, Calif. Aircraft was flown at speeds well under 966-km-per-hr (600-mph) capacity to test control surfaces and hydraulics systems. First TriStar had been flown Nov. 16, 1970. (AP, B Sun, 2/16/71, A6)
Aviation Week & Space Technology editorial commented: "Apollo 14 .. . demonstrated that man still has much to learn about the moon. Even with the ability to land in relatively rough areas and to extend useful working time on the moon, the experience of the Apollo 14 duo in the Fra Mauro area indicates that better new equipment is needed to extend the range and accuracy of their explorations. And once the various typical areas of the lunar surface are reached it is obvious that vehicles with payloads much larger than Apollo will be required to haul the equipment needed to establish permanent scientific working stations on the lunar surface. For not until that is accomplished will man really begin to reap the full harvest of knowledge from his lunar capabilities." (Hotz, Av Wk, 2/15/71, 9)
British Aircraft Corp. said in London that Concorde test flights had "met with success unique in the annals of commercial aircraft flight development." MAC chief test pilot Brian Trubshaw told press conference he was optimistic since British and French prototypes had flown total 393 hrs 56 min, including 92 hrs 35 min at supersonic speeds. Aircraft had maintained directional stability at twice speed of sound and on stalling two of its four engines at same speed. Modifications would be made on nacelles before next phase of test flights because of Jan, 22 incident to French prototype 001 at mach 2 over Atlantic. Air pressure had broken off forward intake ramp of No. 4 engine and engine had fallen off into sea. (Berger, B Sun, 2/16/71, C6)
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