This photo, taken from a chase plane below the aircraft, shows the number two X-29 on its first flight, May 23, 1989. This aircraft investigated high angle-of-attack characteristics and the military utility of its forward swept wing/canard configuration during 120 research flights in Phase 2 of the flight research. Flying at up to 67 degrees angle of attack, the aircraft demonstrated much better control and maneuvering qualities than computational methods and simulation models had predicated. The number one X-29, which flew during Phase 1, was limited to 21 degrees angle of attack maneuvering.