Aircraft Photos

Gallery: <i>Roc</i> Takes Third Test Flight

Stratolaunch’s Roc—the biggest airplane in the world—returned to the sky Sunday, making its first test flight in more than eight months.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

A data boom extending from the front of Roc’s right fuselage gathered key information during Sunday’s mission. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Stratolaunch’s Roc—the biggest airplane in the world—returned to the sky Sunday, making its first test flight in more than eight months. Check out some photos from this historic event.

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Stratolaunch director of flight operations Evan “Ivan” Thomas approaches Roc before Sunday’s test flight. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Pre-flight preparations on Sunday at California’s Mojave Air & Space Port (KMHV) began before daybreak. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Roc was wheels up at 8:48 a.m. PT Sunday from Runway 30 at California’s Mojave Air & Space Port. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Eventually, Roc’s massive wings will carry and launch reusable hypersonic test aircraft. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

The one-of-a-kind airplane is powered by six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofans obtained from retired Boeing 747-400s. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Roc’s length measures 238 feet. Surprisingly, the Boeing 747-8i’s 250-foot length is 12 feet longer. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Roc’s flight crew cycled through retraction and deployment of the middle main landing gear on the left fuselage. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Roc pilot Mark “Gidro” Giddings made two low approaches above the runway Sunday before landing the gigantic airplane. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Roc landed Sunday at California’s Mojave Air & Space Port after a test flight that lasted nearly four and a half hours. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

Roc’s flight crew executed two low approaches over Runway 30 before landing. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

The world’s largest airplane by wingspan boasts a total of 28 wheels. [Courtesy: Stratolaunch]

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