Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft
Photographed By Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
1. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft Marker
This research aircraft was the first airplane to fly using a digital fly-by-wire electronics flight-control system with no mechanical backup system. The initial system utilized components from the Apollo spacecraft guidance and control system.
Digital fly-by-wire flight-control systems are now being incorporated into the designs of the most modern commercial transport airplanes, and are routinely used on nearly all new military aircraft.
First Flight: May 25, 1972 Pilot: Gary E. Krier
Erected by NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1972.
Location. 34° 57.129′ N, 117° 53.309′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is at the intersection of Lilly Avenue and Walker Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Lilly Avenue. Edwards AFB is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4800 Lilly Avenue, Edwards CA 93523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. F-8 DFBW (here, next to this marker); F-8 Supercritical Wing Aircraft (a few steps from this marker); X-29 (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed F-104 (within shouting distance
this page online
More about this marker. Located in front of the Armstrong Flight Research Center Visitors Control Building at Edwards Air Force Base.
Although the base is closed to the general public, they do have monthly tours depending on the current security conditions. The tours do not visit this area.
Also see . . . F-8 DFBW with test pilot Gary E. Krier. Internet Archive website entry (Submitted on October 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
2. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
3. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft
This is the nearby marker "F-8 DFWB"
courtesy NASA
4. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft
courtesy NASA
5. F-8 Test Pilot Gary E. Krier
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
