b) Chuck Yeager

Chuck Yeager, a former United States Air Force officer and test pilot, became the first American aviator to break the sound barrier. On October 14, 1947, Yeager flew the experimental Bell X-1 at Mach 1, surpassing the speed of sound in level flight. This historic flight, achieved at Edwards Air Force Base, was a milestone in aviation history and marked the dawn of a new era in aerospace development. Yeager’s achievement demonstrated the possibilities of high-speed flight and contributed significantly to research in aerodynamics and aeronautics, influencing both military and civilian aviation advancements.