Final answer:
Chuck Yeager was the pilot who set the world record by flying 1,650 mph in an X-1A rocket plane in 1953, showcasing significant advancements in aviation technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1953, Chuck Yeager demonstrated that he truly had "the right stuff" when he set a world record by flying 1,650 mph in the rocket-powered Bell X-1A aircraft. His achievement marked a significant moment in aviation history, showcasing the advancements in aerodynamics and engineering that allowed for supersonic flight. This record followed his earlier achievement in 1947, where he became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound. Other pilots such as John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and Yuri Gagarin also made significant contributions to aviation and space exploration, with Glenn being the first American to orbit Earth, Armstrong being the first person to walk on the Moon, and Gagarin being the first human to journey into outer space.