We continue our conversation with X-15 historian, Michelle Evans, author of the book, “The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space”.

In Part 2 of our interview, we get into why the X-15 program was such an important milestone in the history of aviation while we focus on some of the more “gee whiz” aspects of the spaceplane. We ask Michelle to recount any favorite pilot stories—and one about Neil Armstrong might just surprise our audience. We’ll get into details on pilot selection, how Scott Crossfield was the first to fly the X-15…. And then we’ll conclude the episode with a couple of stories about the 8th X-15 pilot—and later astronaut—Joe Engle.

Michelle Evans is the founder and president of Mach 25 Media (www.Mach25Media.com) and is a writer, photographer, and communications specialist in aerospace.