Crossfield, (Albert) Scott (1921-2006)

US aeronautical engineer. While working at North American Aviation as a test pilot and engineer 1955-67, he flew the X-15 rocket airplane and directed the Apollo, Saturn S-II, Hound Dog, and Paraglider projects.

He was born in Berkeley, California, and served in the US Navy as a pilot during World War II before completing his bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautical engineering at the University of Washington (1946-50). He became a research pilot at the Edwards Air Force Base, California, and test flew a range of aircraft, including several X-planes. In 1953, he reached a speed of 2,078 kmh/1,291 mph, becoming the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. After leaving North American Aviation, he worked for Eastern Airlines 1967-74 and Hawker-Siddeley 1974-75, and served as a technical advisor for civil aviation on the US House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology 1977-93.