News

Stratolaunch Lumbers on Toward First Flight

A video shows progress in the extensive taxi testing that preceded the first flight.

Pia Bergqvist

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 11:10 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Stratolaunch Systems Corp is making significant progress in taxi testing its massive dual-fuselage, six-engine aircraft, the world's largest by wingspan.
During recent tests at Mojave Air and Space Port, the jet reached speeds up to 40 knots, with the team successfully verifying control responses.
The aircraft boasts an immense 385-foot wingspan, nearly twice the width of the 200-foot runway it's using for testing.

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Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.