Mechanic to hero

機械工到大英雄

英文部分選自經(jīng)濟學人20201212期逝者版塊

Obituary: Chuck Yeager

逝者：查克·葉格

Mechanic to hero

機械工到大英雄

General Charles (Chuck) Yeager, test pilot and the first to break the sound barrier, died on December 7th, aged 97

查爾斯（查克）·葉格準將，試飛員、突破音障第一人，于12月7日逝世，享年97歲。

If a flock of grouse flew across his path when he was out hunting, Chuck Yeager knew what would happen. He would get his slingshot, pick up some stones, and let fly. With his 20/10 vision in both eyes, he could see to infinity; in five minutes two or three grouse would be dead, hit square in the head. When challenged to target-shoot at a paper plate nailed to a tree, he could aim to hit the nail. He had practised those skills in the woods of West Virginia until they were second nature.