Cutting the F-104 Engine at 68,000 Feet | Behind the Wings

Summary

The story of Ed Dwight Jr. is a remarkable journey of breaking barriers in the aerospace industry. As the first Black astronaut candidate in the 1960s, Ed faced immense racial discrimination, including resistance from colleagues and military figures. Despite these challenges, his achievements as a test pilot and his eventual contributions to the astronaut program paved the way for future generations. After resigning from the Air Force, he pursued a career in sculpture, creating works to honor Black history. At 90, Ed’s long-awaited journey into space culminated in a powerful reflection on his legacy and the fragility of Earth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ed Dwight’s passion for aviation started at a young age, influenced by his first flight at age nine and the Black pilot he read about, which inspired him to pursue a career in aviation.
• 😀 Ed faced initial rejection from the military due to his stutter and height, but he persistently fought for his place in the Air Force by writing directly to the Pentagon.
• 😀 In the 1960s, during the push to integrate Black Americans into space programs, Kennedy's administration, influenced by Black leaders, sought to select a Black astronaut to garner the Black vote.
• 😀 Despite the strict selection criteria for astronauts (e.g., age, education, flying hours), Ed Dwight was chosen due to his qualifications, including 2200 flight hours and a degree in aeronautical engineering.
• 😀 Ed Dwight initially had no interest in becoming an astronaut, but his mother encouraged him to pursue the opportunity, which led him to submit his credentials and eventually be selected.
• 😀 During his training at Edwards Air Force Base, Ed Dwight was ostracized by some of his peers, who were instructed to avoid him, but this backfired as other students chose to support him.
• 😀 Ed Dwight successfully completed his test pilot school training despite adversities, including a lack of support from instructors and a hostile environment.
• 😀 Ed Dwight was initially denied entry into NASA’s astronaut program but was later considered for the MOL program (Manned Orbiting Laboratory), created by Kennedy to ensure a Black astronaut would participate in the space race.
• 😀 Ed Dwight faced racial discrimination, including attempts to force his resignation from the Air Force, but he resisted and graduated, becoming a symbol of perseverance.
• 😀 After leaving the Air Force, Ed Dwight transitioned to a career in sculpture, inspired by the lack of representation of Black achievements in public art, and created significant works to address this gap.
• 😀 In a surprising twist, Ed Dwight eventually went to space at the age of 90, fulfilling a dream he had since the 1960s, reflecting on the importance of space exploration and its connection to the environment and the broader story of his life.

Q & A

What was Ed Dwight's first introduction to aviation?

Ed Dwight's first exposure to aviation came at the age of 9 when he went on his first flight. He was fascinated by the freedom of flying and the absence of stop signs in the sky, which left a lasting impression on him.

How did Ed Dwight end up applying for pilot training in the Air Force?

Ed Dwight was inspired by a story he read about a Black pilot standing on the wing of an F-86 Sabre jet. Despite being told he was too short and had a stutter, Dwight wrote to the Pentagon, expressing his desire to fly, which led to his acceptance into pilot training.

What were the strict requirements for becoming an astronaut in the early 1960s?

The astronaut selection process required candidates to be under 30 years old, possess an engineering or science degree, have at least 1500 hours of flight time in fighter jets, and receive outstanding ratings on their Officer Effectiveness Reports (OERs).

What role did Bobby Kennedy play in the effort to select a Black astronaut?

Bobby Kennedy was instrumental in pushing for the selection of a Black astronaut. He intervened when Whitney Young, head of the Urban League, lobbied for the creation of opportunities for Black people in space exploration.

What were the challenges Ed Dwight faced at Edwards Air Force Base during astronaut training?

Ed Dwight faced hostility and discrimination from his peers and instructors. The staff was instructed not to interact with him, but Dwight managed to learn from other students, which ultimately helped him succeed despite the opposition.

What was Dwight’s experience with the F-104 during his test pilot training?

Ed Dwight described flying the F-104 as initially terrifying, especially due to the plane’s high speed and dangerous characteristics. The training involved taking the plane to 35,000 feet, shutting off the engine, and attempting to glide back to Earth, a maneuver that had led to several accidents.

How did Ed Dwight perform during his test pilot training at Edwards?

Despite the challenges and resistance from instructors, Ed Dwight graduated 7th out of 17 students in his test pilot class, outperforming 10 white students. He faced additional resistance from figures like Chuck Yeager, who attempted to have him removed from the program.

What led to the creation of the MOL (Manned Orbital Laboratory) program?

The MOL program was created after NASA rejected Ed Dwight from its astronaut program. The U.S. government, under Kennedy’s administration, decided to create the MOL to ensure that a Black astronaut would be selected for space exploration.

What happened when Ed Dwight was asked to resign from the Air Force?

Ed Dwight was pressured to resign from the Air Force after his communications with senior officials and Congress were deemed against military law. Instead of resigning, he stood his ground and faced legal charges, ultimately leading to his departure from the military.

What did Ed Dwight do after leaving the Air Force?

After leaving the Air Force, Ed Dwight pursued a new career in sculpture. He returned to school in 1977 to earn a master’s degree in sculpture and went on to create works, including a sculpture of Colorado’s first Black lieutenant governor, George Brown.

How did Ed Dwight’s story come full circle with his eventual trip to space?

Decades after his astronaut training, Ed Dwight, now 90 years old, finally had the opportunity to go to space. Despite not initially being interested in going, he found the experience meaningful, particularly in seeing Earth from space and reflecting on his long journey in aviation and space exploration.