STILL the fastest! Pete Knight flew the modified X-15A-2 to its maximum speed of Mach 6.7 or 4,520 mph, still the fastest anyone has ever flown an aircraft. Shock waves from the record-breaking speed resulted in considerable heat damage to the aircraft and the X-15A-2 never flew again.
October 3rd, 1967, "Pete" Knight gave that Ol' Mach Demon the best chase it ever had! A speed record that still stands to this date. Knight also became one of only five pilots to earn their Astronaut Wings by flying an airplane to an altitude over 280,500 feet.