Lancaster in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pete Everest

Aerospace Walk of Honor

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 19, 2024

1. Pete Everest Marker

Inscription.

Pete Everest. Aerospace Walk of Honor. , Brig. General Frank Kendall "Pete" Everest, Jr. (USAF Retired) , Pete Everest has played an active part in testing and developing all USAF planes at Edwards AFB. He was Chief of the Flight Test Operations Division from 1950-1956. , , An alumnus of the Wright-Patterson Test Pilot School (1946), Everest was a pioneer in U.S. rocket aircraft flying. He checked out 122 different models and makes of aircraft and logged over 10,000 hours in more than 170 aircraft types. , , Everest piloted the X-2 on eight of its nine powered flights. He reached Mach 2.87 in the X-2 in 1956. , , He set the Bell X-1 altitude record of 73,000 ft. and, in 1953, the world absolute speed record of the F-100A at 755.15 mph. Aircraft that Everest tested for performance and stability include: F-84; F-86; XF-88; F-89; XF-90; F-94; XF-92; F-100; F-101; F-102; F-104; F-105; B-47; B-57; B-52; B-66; U-2; XB-51; B-36; D-558 I; D-558 II; B-58; C-130; KC-135; P-51; B-50; T-6; and the F-93. , , Everest conducted research on the X Series including: X-1 (10 times); X-1B (2 times); X-2 (13 times); X-4 (4 times); and the X-5 (6 times). , , He served as chief test pilot and chief of flight operations for 2 years at Sikorsky Aircraft. , , He served as Director of Aerospace Safety for USAF, Director of Operations for Test and Evaluation in the Department of Defense, and Commander of Aerospace Rescue and Recovery for the USAF. , , Everest has been honored by the: Harmon International Trophy; David C. Schilling Award (1956); Octave Chanute (1957); "Greatest Living Americans" Award (1956); more than twenty military awards; and the Aerospace Walk of Honor. , , Established in 1990 by the Lancaster City Council, the Aerospace Walk of Honor celebrates test pilots who were associated with Edwards AFB. Recognition is awarded for distinguished aviation careers marked by significant and obvious achievements beyond one specific accomplishment.

Brig. General Frank Kendall "Pete" Everest, Jr. (USAF Retired)
Pete Everest has played an active part in testing and developing all USAF planes at Edwards AFB. He was Chief of the Flight Test Operations Division from 1950-1956.

An alumnus of the Wright-Patterson Test Pilot School (1946), Everest was a pioneer in U.S. rocket aircraft flying. He checked out 122 different models and makes of aircraft and logged over 10,000 hours in more than 170 aircraft types.

Everest piloted the X-2 on eight of its nine powered flights. He reached Mach 2.87 in the X-2 in 1956.

He set the Bell X-1 altitude record of 73,000 ft. and, in 1953, the world absolute speed record of the F-100A at 755.15 mph. Aircraft that Everest tested for performance and stability include: F-84; F-86; XF-88; F-89; XF-90; F-94; XF-92; F-100; F-101; F-102; F-104; F-105; B-47; B-57; B-52; B-66; U-2; XB-51; B-36; D-558 I; D-558 II; B-58; C-130; KC-135; P-51; B-50; T-6; and the F-93.

Everest conducted research on the X Series including: X-1 (10 times); X-1B (2 times); X-2 (13 times); X-4 (4 times); and the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

X-5 (6 times).

He served as chief test pilot and chief of flight operations for 2 years at Sikorsky Aircraft.

He served as Director of Aerospace Safety for USAF, Director of Operations for Test and Evaluation in the Department of Defense, and Commander of Aerospace Rescue and Recovery for the USAF.

Everest has been honored by the: Harmon International Trophy; David C. Schilling Award (1956); Octave Chanute (1957); "Greatest Living Americans" Award (1956); more than twenty military awards; and the Aerospace Walk of Honor.

Established in 1990 by the Lancaster City Council, the Aerospace Walk of Honor celebrates test pilots who were associated with Edwards AFB. Recognition is awarded for distinguished aviation careers marked by significant and obvious achievements beyond one specific accomplishment.

Erected by City of Lancaster.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 34° 41.85′ N, 118° 8.64′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Lancaster Boulevard east of

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 19, 2024

2. Pete Everest Marker

The marker is the one in the middle.

Fern Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the Lancaster Performing Arts Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 750 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster CA 93534, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the High Desert,

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Captain Glen W. Edwards, USAF (here, next to this marker); Herman Richard "Fish" Salmon (here, next to this marker); Fitz Fulton (here, next to this marker); Max R. Stanley (here, next to this marker); Neil Armstrong (here, next to this marker); William H. Dana (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel Frank Borman, USAF (about 300 feet away); Lancaster Incorporation Headquarters (about 700

D-558 II “Skyrocket” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 25, 2023

3. D-558 II “Skyrocket”

On display at Antelope Valley College.

feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on February 25, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.