AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT AND MISHAP INVESTIGATION

As member of Weapons Systems Test Directorate, Systems Safety Panel, Naval Air Test Center, investigated or reviewed numerous accidents / incidents involving Naval aircraft testing programs during 1971 through 1975. Assisted in developing the initial version of the Naval Air Test Centers Flight Testing Lessons Learned document. Served as technical representative to the accident board investigating the Integrated Operational Test and Evaluation spin loss of control accident of F/A-18 Bu. No. 160784.

AVIATION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Served as senior military test pilot and military test program manager for the F/A-18 Full Scale Development (FSD) Program. Supervised employment of six test pilots and 35 engineers and technicians operating a 20 million dollar annual budget. Responsible for all aspects of the government and contractor flight test program. Constructively worked with the contractor to resolve approximately 1000 aircraft deficiencies of all varieties over the course of the development program. Motivated personnel to improve performance through better communication (clear guidelines, adherence to established test procedures, closer coordination). Developed post-production flight test procedures for new F/A-18 aircraft still in use. Guided resolution of all F/A-18 development program deficiencies with NAVAIR and the Contractor to [[[[field]]]] one of the most successful fighter aircraft, exceeding all previous Navy records for performance, reliability, maintainability, and safety in a carrier based aircraft. In over 4000 flight test hours sustained an accident free record for all 10 FSD aircraft. Commanded the first operational F/A-18 squadron (selected assignment), accident free. Led squadron to first training air combat engagements against USAF F-15 and F-16 squadrons, fully demonstrating the F/A-18 in Air-to-Air (A/A) and Air-to-Ground (A/G) operational scenarios. Conducted first F/A-18 live missile shoot and first squadron carrier qualifications. As U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Director, supervised 60 military flight and civilian academic instructors plus administrative personnel and a contractor maintenance staff of over 300, operating on an annual budget of 18 million dollars. Responsible for the execution of daily flight scheduling of 35 aircraft of 13 different types (helicopters to supersonic jets). Acquired and introduced four F/A-18B and four UH-60A aircraft to the Test Pilot School syllabus. Monitored the progress of an average of 50 student test pilots and flight test engineers through the one-year course. Served as a test pilot flight instructor in all aspects of flight syllabus with specialization in Out of Control (spin recovery) flight, advanced weapons systems, and digital flight controls evaluations.

PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

Over 6,000 total flight hours, Special Instrument Rating, Experimental Test Pilot Rating, Qualified Shipboard Landing Signal Officer, FAA Commercial/Instrument Airplane Single Engine / Multi Engine Land Ratings, Transport Aircraft Commander Rating (US-2 / C-1A), Air Combat Tactics Instructor, Marine Air Group Strike Leader, Mission Commander, Instrument Check Pilot, Design NATOPS Instructor (A-4, F-4, F-9, T-38, F/A-18), Functional Check Pilot (A-4, F-4, F-9, F/A-18). 225 Combat Missions, Republic of Viet Nam. 300 carrier landings. Designated Search and Rescue Mission Pilot In Command, Civil Air Patrol.

FLIGHT TEST, ENGINEERING, AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

Flight evaluated classified foreign military aircraft during project Have Idea. Flight tested the High Resolution Multi Application Radar (HIMAR) on a specially modified A-6A airplane equipped with an optical tracker. Flight evaluated the engineering model Heads Up Display (HUD) for the A-4 aircraft, later approved for production. Flight evaluated engineering changes to convert the F-4B airframe to the F-4N model. Evaluated and recommended changes to the glass cockpit concepts in development as advanced by the contractor, McDonnell Douglas, for the F/A-18, which later became the genesis of electronic display of information in many military and commercial aircraft. Introduced the F/A-18 into the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School curriculum and revised standard hydro-mechanical flight control testing techniques to incorporate test techniques for highly augmented electronic flight controlled aircraft. At McDonnell Douglas, following the Sioux City DC-10 crash, worked on propulsion control concepts for use as back-up flight controls for airliners and tested the concept in simulation. Worked on other propulsion control concepts for the C-17 as both primary and back-up flight controls. Managed and assisted in the development of a series of digital flight control computers for use in safe experimentation on electronic flight control systems called the Production Support Flight Control Computer (PSFCC). Managed the Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) program, essentially a leading edge aileron control surface concept designed to capture the flexibility of high aspect ratio wings for enhanced lateral control purposes. Managed the Space Shuttle Avionics Upgrade Program, an initiative which conceptually updated Orbiter avionics in order to improve cockpit displays, lower operating costs, reduce vehicle turn around times, and mitigate existing obsolescence.

AVIATION EDUCATION

Graduate, U.S. Navy Pilot Training. Graduate, U.S. Marine Corps Nuclear Weapons Delivery Training. Graduate, U.S. Navy Landing Signal Officer Training. Graduate, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Graduate, U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School. Graduate, U.S. Navy Post Graduate School Aviation Safety Course for Commanding Officers. Flight Safety Wichita, Bonanza Course.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Associate Fellow, The Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Distinguished Flying Cross
15 Strike Flight Air Medals
Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V
2 Meritorious Service Medals

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Aircraft Maintenance Officer
Carrier Qualifications Flight Instructor
Director, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
Experimental Test Pilot
Flight Instructor
Flight Test Program Manager
Landing Signal Officer
Marine Air / Ground Task Force Commanding Officer
Manager / Engineer Research Programs - Boeing
Nuclear Weapons Delivery Pilot
Out of Control Recovery (Spins) Flight Instructor
Squadron Commanding Officer
Test Pilot Flight Instructor

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

1962 B.S. Mathematics, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.
1963-1989 Officer, United States Marine Corps, Colonel (O-6)
1963 Designated Naval Aviator
1971 Graduate, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
1986 Graduate, Industrial College of the Armed Forces
1989-Present Research Program Manager, Phantom Works, The Boeing Company
2003-Present Aviation Consulting Practice