F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft

The F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft was the first airplane to fly using a digital fly-by-wire electronics flight-control system with no mechanical backup system. Its initial system utilized components from the Apollo spacecraft guidance and control system. Digital fly-by-wire flight-control systems are now being incorporated into the designs of the most modern commercial transport airplanes and are routinely used on nearly all new military aircraft. The first flight took place on May 25, 1972, with pilot Gary E. Krier.

California · United States