The world's largest plane measured by wingspan has taken flight for the first time.
Stratolaunch weighs in at 500,000IBS, has a 385 ft wingspan, which is longer than an American football field; and is powered by a twin-fuselage six-engine jet.
The aircraft took to the skies over California’s Mojave desert in its first-ever flight, and AvAir supplied key components used in its creation. Designed and intended to transport rockets that can blast satellites into space, the Stratolaunch came to be after Microsoft Co-Founder Paul G. Allen provided the funding for it, and the project continued to move forward despite Allen’s death late last year.
Among several parts supplied by AvAir for use in the aircraft were two legs of landing gear and two engine pylons, plus other smaller components.
“The Stratolaunch is one of the most innovative, state-of-the-art aircraft the aviation industry has ever seen,” said AvAir CEO Mike Bianco. “We are honored to have this connection to it. Anyone who has seen it can attest that it really is an engineering masterpiece.”