X Planes

The X-planes are a series of experimental United States aircraft (and some rockets) used for testing of new technologies and usually kept highly secret during development.

 

As of 2006, new X-plane projects are still underway. The designation X-52 was skipped to avoid potential confusion with the operational B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber.

X-44

Nasa X-43A

X-50

X-33

X-38

X-29

X-50A 

Virgin Galactic

The Bird of Prey

X-43 (Hyper-X: Greased Lightning)

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/9-12/features/F_HyperX_Greased_Lightning9-12.html

X-35

X-47A

X-48B

http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/xplanes/xplanes.html

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/HistoricAircraft/X-Planes/1940/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-plane

Acrobats

Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport. Some helicopters, such as the MBB Bo 105, are capable of limited aerobatic maneuvers

Most aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis. Maneuvers are often combined to form a complete aerobatic sequence for entertainment or competition.

Aerobatic flying requires a broader set of piloting skills and exposes the aircraft to greater structural stress than for normal flight. In some countries, the pilot must wear a parachute when performing aerobatics.

Red Arrows - UK

Surya Kiran - India

Thunderbirds - USA

Refuel

Sonic Boom

 

The change in pressure as the plane outruns all of the pressure and sound waves in front of it is heard on the ground as an explosion or sonic boom.

Every so often, just the right combination of conditions and events occur to create an unbelievable event -- in this case an F-18 passing through the sound barrier. Not only were the water vapor, density and temperature just right, but there just happened to be a camera in the vicinity to capture the moment. The F-18 is actually in transonic flight, with normal shock waves emanating from behind the canopy and across the wings and fuselage. The condition will last for only an instant, and once supersonic flow exists completely around the aircraft, sharp-angled sonic cones replace the normal shock waves. The odds of getting a shot like this are staggering. I like it.