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In this photo, the HL-10 has touched down on its main landing gear, while the pilot was holding the nose up to slow the vehicle. The F-104 in the background was used as a chase plane. Its pilot would give the HL-10's pilot calls on his altitude above the lakebed as well as warnings about any problems. The NASA F-104s were also used for lifting-body training. With the landing gear extended and flaps lowered, the F-104 could simulate the steep, high-speed descent and landing of a lifting body.