Photographer Carla Thomas on a Supersonic Flight

Photographer Carla Thomas on a Supersonic Flight, to help engineers further the study of shockwaves.

“Armstrong Flight Research Center chief pilot Nils Larson and I were flying supersonic runs to note the handling qualities between the single seat and two seat F/A-18 aircraft for the Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT program,” said Carla Thomas, one of NASA’s two female in-flight photographers.

Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT, flights were performed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, to help NASA researchers measure the effect of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms reaching the ground. This will help engineers further the study of shockwaves, and will assist in the development of tools necessary to further the development of future supersonic commercial aircraft.

Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Thomas

source NASA