Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Air Force Flight Test Center

AIAA Historic Aerospace Site

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

1. Air Force Flight Test Center Marker

Inscription. Called a “natural airdrome,” the Rogers Dry Lakebed and surrounding airspace, known as the Air Force Flight Test Center, has been and continues to be the optimum location for “first flights” and validation of high-performance and experimental aerospace vehicles. With the research, development, test, evaluation, and other support of Flight Test Center personnel, more major milestones in flight have occurred here than anywhere else in the world.

Erected 2001 by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites series list.

Location. 34° 54.719′ N, 117° 55.273′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Rosamond Boulevard, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east. Located in front of the AFFTC Museum on base. Edwards AFB is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Rosamond Blvd, Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. NF-4C "Phantom II" (within shouting distance of this marker); YA-10B (within shouting distance of this marker); NASA Space Shuttle Crew Transport Vehicle

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(within shouting distance of this marker); PGM-17A "Thor" (within shouting distance of this marker); Piper PA-48 “Enforcer” (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed SR-71A “Blackbird” (within shouting distance of this marker); UC-45J "Expeditor" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); T-33A “Shooting Star” (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

More about this marker. Public access to this museum is no longer available. The museum is currently (2019-2026) building a new museum outside the West Gate to allow easy public access. Fundraising is underway.

Also see . . . AFFTC Museum. (Submitted on June 30, 2020.)

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

2. Air Force Flight Test Center Museum and Marker

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, May 5, 2023

3. Air Force Flight Test Center Museum

Photographed By Craig Baker, May 5, 2023

4. New Museum

Under construction outside the West Gate.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on May 12, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.