On 29 November McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA) Test Pilot Fred Maddenwald slipped the surly bonds of earth as he conducted the first flight of the Navy's newest aircraft, the F/A-18E/F. The flight was conducted in aircraft E-1 from Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri. Takeoff occurred at 12:55 p.m. EST.

Motivation for the flight was provided by two General Electric F414 engines which operated flawlessly. Mr. Maddenwald's comments were that E-1 handled "sweet" as it climbed out into the clear St. Louis sky. (SEE A  VIDEO CLIP OF THIS F/A-18E/F TAKEOFF)