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X-Plane 9.70 NF-104A "Zoom Climber". The rocket boosted F-104A's used by USAF Test Pilots School and NASA astronaut candidates to experience weightlessness and practice vehicle control techniques in a near space like environment. NF-104s achieved altitudes of over 100,000 feet using a "zoom" climb technique assissted by a 6000 lb thrust rocket motor mounted in the tail just above the J-79 turbojet engine afterburner. By David Austin.