General Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the first sound barrier seven decades ago, died at the age of 97. The way to space was open only after Chuck flew a plane faster than sound. His death was shared by wife Victoria on Twitter. Renowned as a great pilot, General Chuck Yeager arrived in the US Air Force in 1941. Chuck was identified in World War II when he flew P-51 aircraft and was credited with the downing of 12 aircraft. Five of these planes were dropped during a single flight. He broke the sound barrier with his Bell