Employing "fly-by-wire" technology, the prototype General Dynamics YF-16 completed its first flight over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 2, 1974. The aircraft went on to win a fly-off competition against the Northrop YF-17 for an Air Force lightweight multi-role fighter contract. The F-16 Fighting Falcon would also fly for allied nations around the world.

YF-16 no.1 (#72-1567) initially flew for the first time (unscheduled) on January 21st, 1974 with Phil Oestricher in the cockpit, to nearly disastrous results.

The airplane had sustained damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. Engineers determined that the airplane’s roll control was too sensitive, and that the exhaust nozzle was improperly wired, resulting in too much thrust at low throttle settings. The YF-16 was repaired and was ready for its first test flight on 2 February.

(per This Day in Aviation)

February 2nd marked the first successful test flight of the YF-16,

That one-and-one-half-hour sortie was fairly uneventful. The pilot's report previewed some of the characteristics that would prove to be major selling points for the F-16:

The airplane was comfortable and enjoyable to fly immediately. No difficulty was experienced in adapting to the sidestick or to the thirty-degree inclined seat... The visibility is so great that it requires some time to adapt... The airplane is highly responsive about all three axes but can be flown smoothly with little effort...

(per Code One Magazine)

YF-16 no.1 (#72-1567) is on display at the Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton, Virginia.