William J. Knight
Encyclopedia
William J. "Pete" Knight (November 18, 1929 – May 8, 2004) was a U.S.
politician
, combat pilot
, test pilot, and astronaut
. Knight holds the world's speed record for flight in a winged, powered aircraft. As a politician, he is noted as the author of California Proposition 22, which forbade the state from performing or recognizing same-sex marriage.
in 1951. While only a Second Lieutenant, he flew an F-89
at the National Air Show in 1954 and won the Allison Jet Trophy.
Starting in 1958, Knight served as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base
. He was a project test pilot for the F-100
, F-101 Voodoo
, F-104 Starfighter
and later, T-38
and F-5
test programs. In 1960, he was one of six test pilots selected to fly the X-20 Dyna-Soar
, which was slated to become the first winged orbital space vehicle capable of lifting reentries and conventional landings. After the X-20 program was canceled in 1963, he completed the astronaut training curriculum at Edwards AFB and was selected to fly the North American X-15
.
He had more than his share of eventful flights in the X-15. While climbing through 107,000 feet at Mach
4.17 on June 29, 1967, he suffered a total electrical failure and all onboard systems shut down. After arching over at 173,000 feet, he calmly set up a visual approach and, resorting to old-fashioned "seat-of-the-pants" flying, he glided down to a safe emergency landing at Mud Lake, Nevada. For his remarkable feat of airmanship that day, he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross
.
On October 3, 1967, Knight set a world aircraft speed record for manned aircraft by piloting the X-15A-2 to 4,520 mph (7,274 km/h) (Mach
6.72), a record that still stands today. During 16 flights in the aircraft, Knight also became one of only five pilots to earn their astronaut wings by flying an airplane in space, reaching an altitude of 280,500 feet.
After nearly ten years of test flying at Edwards AFB, he went to Southeast Asia
in 1968 where he completed a total of 253 combat sorties in the F-100
. Following his combat tour, he served as test director during development of the F-15 Eagle
at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio
. He also was the Program Director for the International Fighter (F-5) Program at Wright-Patterson. In 1979, he returned to Edwards AFB, and served as a test pilot for the F-16 Fighting Falcon
. After 32 years of service and more than 6,000 hours in the cockpits of more than 100 different aircraft, he retired from the USAF as a Colonel
in 1982.
In honor of his achievements, Knight was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor
with the inaugural class of 1990. Also, the Scaled Composites White Knight spacecraft launch plane was named after Knight and fellow X-15 pilot Robert White
.
, and four years later became the city's first elected mayor. Along with becoming the fastest man in the world when he flew the X-15, he was also the Mayor of Palmdale when it was the fastest growing city in both California and the United States. In 1992, he was elected to serve in the California State Assembly
representing the 36th District. He served in the State Senate
representing the 17th District from 1996 until his death on May 7, 2004. Knight's youngest son, Steve Knight
is the Assemblyman for the 36th Assembly District, the seat previously held by his father.
, aka the "Knight Initiative," the purpose of which was to ban same-sex marriage: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The proposition passed with 61.4% approval and 38.6% against. In 2004, Knight's middle son, David Knight, who is gay, married his partner when San Francisco performed same-sex marriages in defiance of state law. These marriages were later nullified by the California Supreme Court in August 2004 (The two were allegedly estranged from one another up until Pete's death in 2004.). As a statute, Proposition 22 was eventually ruled unconstitutional
in 2008. A state constitutional amendment commonly known as Proposition 8
, again banned same sex marriage when it was passed later that year. A federal district court later overturned Proposition 8 on August 4, 2010 deeming it unconstitutional. Same sex marriage remains illegal pending an appeal to the federal ruling.
was opened in his memory. The school began its first year in the school year of 2003-2004 and celebrated its first graduating class in 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, combat pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
, test pilot, and astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
. Knight holds the world's speed record for flight in a winged, powered aircraft. As a politician, he is noted as the author of California Proposition 22, which forbade the state from performing or recognizing same-sex marriage.
Air Force career
Knight joined the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in 1951. While only a Second Lieutenant, he flew an F-89
F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was an early American jet-powered fighter designed from the outset as an all-weather interceptor. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters with guided missiles, and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air...
at the National Air Show in 1954 and won the Allison Jet Trophy.
Starting in 1958, Knight served as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
. He was a project test pilot for the F-100
F-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
, F-101 Voodoo
F-101 Voodoo
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
, F-104 Starfighter
F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
and later, T-38
T-38 Talon
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
and F-5
F-5 Freedom Fighter
The Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and the F-5E/F Tiger II are part of a family of widely-used light supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop...
test programs. In 1960, he was one of six test pilots selected to fly the X-20 Dyna-Soar
X-20 Dyna-Soar
The X-20 Dyna-Soar was a United States Air Force program to develop a spaceplane that could be used for a variety of military missions, including reconnaissance, bombing, space rescue, satellite maintenance, and sabotage of enemy satellites...
, which was slated to become the first winged orbital space vehicle capable of lifting reentries and conventional landings. After the X-20 program was canceled in 1963, he completed the astronaut training curriculum at Edwards AFB and was selected to fly the North American X-15
North American X-15
The North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft/spaceplane was part of the X-series of experimental aircraft, initiated with the Bell X-1, that were made for the USAAF/USAF, NACA/NASA, and the USN. The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and...
.
He had more than his share of eventful flights in the X-15. While climbing through 107,000 feet at Mach
Mach number
Mach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure...
4.17 on June 29, 1967, he suffered a total electrical failure and all onboard systems shut down. After arching over at 173,000 feet, he calmly set up a visual approach and, resorting to old-fashioned "seat-of-the-pants" flying, he glided down to a safe emergency landing at Mud Lake, Nevada. For his remarkable feat of airmanship that day, he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
.
Mach number
Mach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure...
6.72), a record that still stands today. During 16 flights in the aircraft, Knight also became one of only five pilots to earn their astronaut wings by flying an airplane in space, reaching an altitude of 280,500 feet.
After nearly ten years of test flying at Edwards AFB, he went to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
in 1968 where he completed a total of 253 combat sorties in the F-100
F-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
. Following his combat tour, he served as test director during development of the F-15 Eagle
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
. He also was the Program Director for the International Fighter (F-5) Program at Wright-Patterson. In 1979, he returned to Edwards AFB, and served as a test pilot for the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
. After 32 years of service and more than 6,000 hours in the cockpits of more than 100 different aircraft, he retired from the USAF as a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in 1982.
In honor of his achievements, Knight was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor
Aerospace Walk of Honor
The Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, California, USA, honors test pilots who have contributed to aviation and space research and development....
with the inaugural class of 1990. Also, the Scaled Composites White Knight spacecraft launch plane was named after Knight and fellow X-15 pilot Robert White
Robert M. White
Major General Robert Michael "Bob" White was a military aircraft test pilot and a major general in the United States Air Force...
.
Political career
In 1984, he was elected to the city council of Palmdale, CaliforniaPalmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, and four years later became the city's first elected mayor. Along with becoming the fastest man in the world when he flew the X-15, he was also the Mayor of Palmdale when it was the fastest growing city in both California and the United States. In 1992, he was elected to serve in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
representing the 36th District. He served in the State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
representing the 17th District from 1996 until his death on May 7, 2004. Knight's youngest son, Steve Knight
Steve Knight (politician)
Stephen Knight is an American politician. He represents the 36th district in the California State Assembly, encompassing northeastern Los Angeles and western San Bernardino counties in the High Desert region. He currently lives in Palmdale with his wife Lily and two children.His father, William J...
is the Assemblyman for the 36th Assembly District, the seat previously held by his father.
Proposition 22
During his term in the Senate, Knight gained statewide attention in 2000 as the author of Proposition 22California Proposition 22 (2000)
Proposition 22 was a law enacted by California voters in March 2000 to restrict marriages to only those between opposite-sex couples. In May 2008 it was struck down by the California Supreme Court as contrary to the state constitution....
, aka the "Knight Initiative," the purpose of which was to ban same-sex marriage: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The proposition passed with 61.4% approval and 38.6% against. In 2004, Knight's middle son, David Knight, who is gay, married his partner when San Francisco performed same-sex marriages in defiance of state law. These marriages were later nullified by the California Supreme Court in August 2004 (The two were allegedly estranged from one another up until Pete's death in 2004.). As a statute, Proposition 22 was eventually ruled unconstitutional
In re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases 43 Cal.4th 757 [76 Cal.Rptr.3d 683, 183 P.3d 384], was a California Supreme Court case with the dual holding that "statutes that treat persons differently because of their sexual orientation should be subjected to strict scrutiny" and the existing "California legislative and...
in 2008. A state constitutional amendment commonly known as Proposition 8
California Proposition 8 (2008)
Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections...
, again banned same sex marriage when it was passed later that year. A federal district court later overturned Proposition 8 on August 4, 2010 deeming it unconstitutional. Same sex marriage remains illegal pending an appeal to the federal ruling.
Watch
- Pete Knight's Final Television Interview (30 min., free, taped 4-1-2004)
School in his name
In the city of Palmdale, Pete Knight High SchoolPete Knight High School
Knight High School is located in Palmdale, California and is part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District. Knight High was the 7th general education school to join the district. The high school opened its doors to freshmen in August 2003 and these same freshmen were the first class to...
was opened in his memory. The school began its first year in the school year of 2003-2004 and celebrated its first graduating class in 2007.