Commandants of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/USAF_TPS_PAM_36-7_22_June_2007.png/300px-USAF_TPS_PAM_36-7_22_June_2007.png)
The commanding officer of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) is known as its Commandant. The commandant manages the school which is a military unit that operates in a distinctly academic atmosphere.[1] The position is usually held by a colonel selected by the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) commander although this authority may be delegated to the commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC).[2] The commandant oversees all flying training, academic instruction, budgeting, and curriculum administration at the school.[3] The commandant also chairs a board of officers that selects the school's students. The selection board consists of flight test squadron commanders with a majority of the board members being TPS graduates.[4] The commandant determines enrollment requirements and associated schedules.[5] Every three years, the commandant conducts a review of the school's curriculum with participation from flight test squadrons, the U.S. Naval TPS, and operational squadrons.[3]
The school's mission is to produce experimental test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test navigators to lead and conduct test and evaluation of aerospace weapon systems.[6] The school was established on September 9, 1944 as the Flight Test Training Unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) in Dayton, Ohio.[7] To take advantage of the uncongested skies and superb flying weather, the school was moved on February 4, 1951 to its present location at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.[7] Edwards AFB is the home of the Air Force Flight Test Center and has been an integral part of flight testing since the 1940s.[8]
Between 1962 and 1972, the Test Pilot School expanded its role to include astronaut training for military test pilots.[9] Thirty-seven TPS graduates of this era were selected for the U.S. space program, and twenty-six went on to earn astronaut's wings by flying in the X-15, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs.[10] Although the school no longer trains astronauts, many TPS graduates since 1972 have been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for duties in space. The school encourages applications from civilians, personnel from other U.S. military services, and individuals from foreign countries.[11] An exchange program allows selected students to attend other test pilot schools including the United States Naval Test Pilot School, the United Kingdom's Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS), and France's École du personnel navigant d'essais et de réception (EPNER).[12]
Commandants
The following list provides a complete list of commandants of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. The table contains their name, rank, dates as commandant, the TPS class from which they graduated (if applicable), and notable events that occurred during their tenure at the school.
Key
Rank | Military rank | The rank shown is at the time the individual served as commandant. |
---|---|---|
Class | Year/Letter | The year and order in which a class started. For example, 07A was the first of two classes to start in 2007.[13] |
Roman Numeral | Four Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) classes designated I, II, III, and IV, that prepared students for manned spaceflight operations. These classes were dropped when the USAF lost its manned spaceflight mission.[14] | |
Events | "introduced" | Indicates an aircraft type was first made available for use by TPS students. This date is usually much later than the aircraft entered USAF service. |
List of Commandants
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Buzz_Aldrin.jpg/130px-Buzz_Aldrin.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Colonel_Steve_Cameron_2001.jpg/130px-Colonel_Steve_Cameron_2001.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/USAF_Colonel_Ken_Chilstrom_1961.jpg/130px-USAF_Colonel_Ken_Chilstrom_1961.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/USAF-EP-Deatrick-by-F-104-1968.png/130px-USAF-EP-Deatrick-by-F-104-1968.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/James_H._Doolittle_III_TPS_Commandant_1994-96.jpg/130px-James_H._Doolittle_III_TPS_Commandant_1994-96.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Guy_Gardner.jpg/130px-Guy_Gardner.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Colonel_Joe_Guthrie_Jr_USAF.jpg/130px-Colonel_Joe_Guthrie_Jr_USAF.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Col._Ralph_C._Hoewing.png/130px-Col._Ralph_C._Hoewing.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/130405-F-ZZ999-001.jpg/130px-130405-F-ZZ999-001.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/George-Kailiwali-Sept-2008.jpg/130px-George-Kailiwali-Sept-2008.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/MGen_Michael_Kostelnik_2001.jpg/130px-MGen_Michael_Kostelnik_2001.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Colonel_Charles_Webb_USAF_October_22._2014._141020-F-IW159-006_-_cropped.jpg/130px-Colonel_Charles_Webb_USAF_October_22._2014._141020-F-IW159-006_-_cropped.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Charles_Yeager_photo_portrait_head_on_shoulders_left_side.jpg/130px-Charles_Yeager_photo_portrait_head_on_shoulders_left_side.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Col_Noel_Zamot_USAF_TPS_Retires_20120619_120613-F-CX978-076.jpg/130px-Col_Noel_Zamot_USAF_TPS_Retires_20120619_120613-F-CX978-076.jpg)
* Individual was killed in an aviation-related accident.
No | Name | Rank | From | To | Class | Notable events during tenure | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ralph C. Hoewing | O-04Maj. | 1944-09Sep 1944 | 1945-01Jan 1945 | n/a |
| [15] [16] [17] |
2 | "Dick" Muehlberg | O-05Lt. Col. | 1945-01Jan 1945 | 1946-01Jan 1946 | n/a |
| [15] [18] |
3 | Ralph C. Hoewing | O-04Maj. | 1946-01Jan 1946 | 1947-05May 1947 | n/a |
| [18] [19] |
4 | Leonard I. Wiehrdt | O-04Maj. | 1947-05May 1947 | 1947-10Oct 1947 | 1946-0446D |
| [18] [19] |
5 | Leo C. Moon | O-05Lt. Col. | 1947-10Oct 1947 | 1949-10Oct 1949 | 1947-0147 |
| [18] [20] [21] |
6 | Ken Chilstrom | O-04Maj. | 1949-10Oct 1949 | 1950-10Oct 1950 | 1945-0145 |
| [22] [23] |
7 | John R. Amann | O-05Lt. Col. | 1950-10Oct 1950 | 1956-05May 1956 | 1949-0449D |
| [23] [24] [25] |
8 | Herbert V. Leonhardt | O-05Lt. Col. | 1956-05May 1956 | 1959-06Jun 1959 | 1955-0355C | [26] [27] | |
9 | Richard C. Lathrop | O-04Maj. | 1959-06Jun 1959 | 1961-06Jun 1961 | 1955-0455D | [28] [29] | |
10 | Robert M. Howe | O-05Lt. Col. | 1961-06Jun 1961 | 1962-07Jul 1962 | 1949-0449D, 52B |
| [29] [30] [31] [32] |
11 | Charles E. Yeager | O-06Col. | 1962-07Jul 1962 | 1966-07Jul 1966 | 1946-0346C, 51A |
| [29] [33] [34] |
12 | Robert S. Buchanan | O-06Col. | 1966-07Jul 1966 | 1967-05May 1967 | 1957-0157A, I |
| [33] [35] |
13 | Eugene P. Deatrick Jr. | O-06Col. | 1967-05May 1967 | 1968-06Jun 1968 | 1951-0151A, 53C | [33] [35] | |
14 | George D. Hendrix | O-05Lt. Col. | 1968-06Jun 1968 | 1968-08Aug 1968 | 1957-0157A |
| [35] |
15 | Harold W. Christian, Jr. | O-06Col. | 1968-08Aug 1968 | 1971-01Jan 1971 | 1952-0352C | [35] [36] | |
16 | William J. Campbell | O-06Col. | 1971-01Jan 1971 | 1971-07Jul 1971 | 1962-0362C, IV |
| [14] [37] |
17 | Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin | O-06Col. | 1971-07Jul 1971 | 1972-02Feb 1972 | n/a |
| [36] [37] |
18 | Joseph A. Guthrie, Jr. | O-06Col. | 1972-02Feb 1972 | 1975-07Jul 1975 | 1958-0358C | [37] [38] | |
19 | Warwick H. Glasgow | O-06Col. | 1975-07Jul 1975 | 1977-12Dec 1977 | 1965-0365C | [38] [39] | |
20 | Donald T. Ward | O-06Col. | 1978-01Jan 1978 | 1979-06Jun 1979 | ETPS FW Course 25 |
| [38] [39] [40] |
21 | Larry G. Van Pelt | O-05Lt. Col. | 1979-06Jun 1979 | 1979-08Aug 1979 | 1966-0166A |
| [38] [39] |
22 | Norman L. Suits | O-06Col. | 1979-08Aug 1979 | 1980-06Jun 1980 | 1968-0168A |
| [38] [39] |
23 | Donald E. Madonna* | O-06Col. | 1980-06Jun 1980 | 1982-03Mar 1982 | 1966-0166A | [38] [41] [42] | |
24 | Michael E. Sexton | O-05Lt. Col. | 1982-03Mar 1982 | 1982-07Jul 1982 | 1969-0169A |
| [41] [43] |
25 | Kenneth E. Staten | O-06Col. | 1982-07Jul 1982 | 1983-08Aug 1983 | 1968-0168A |
| [43] [44] |
26 | Melvin Hayashi | O-06Col. | 1983-08Aug 1983 | 1985-07Jul 1985 | 1972-0272B |
| [45] [46] |
27 | Michael D. Marks | O-06Col. | 1985-07Jul 1985 | 1987-03Mar 1987 | 1975-0175A |
| [45] [46] |
28 | Michael C. Kostelnik | O-06Col. | 1987-03Mar 1987 | 1989-07Jul 1989 | 1977-0177A |
| [43] [45] [47] [48] |
29 | Elton T. Pollock | O-06Col. | 1989-07Jul 1989 | 1991-06Jun 1991 | 1976-0276B |
| [46] [49] [50] |
30 | Guy S. Gardner | O-06Col. | 1991-06Jun 1991 | 1992-08Aug 1992 | 1975-0175A |
| [49] [51] [52] |
31 | Harold T. Strittmatter | O-06Col. | 1992-08Aug 1992 | 1994-04Apr 1994 | 1981-0281B | [49] [51] | |
32 | James H. Doolittle III | O-06Col. | 1994-04Apr 1994 | 1996-08Aug 1996 | 1979-0279B | [46] [49] [51] [50] | |
33 | Barton E. Henwood | O-06Col. | 1996-08Aug 1996 | 1998-04Apr 1998 | 1984-0184A |
| [46] [53] [54] |
34 | Steve Cameron | O-06Col. | 1998-04Apr 1998 | 2001-01Jan 2001 | 1985-0285B |
| [55] [56] [57] |
35 | George Ka'iliwai III | O-06Col. | 2001-01Jan 2001 | 2003-06Jun 2003 | 1984-0284B |
| [58] [59] [60] [61] |
36 | Ernie H. Haendschke | O-06Col. | 2003-06Jun 2003 | 2005-07Jul 2005 | 1987-0287B |
| [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] |
37 | Andre A. Gerner | O-06Col. | 2005-07Jul 2005 | 2007-07Jul 2007 | 1991-0191A |
| [68] [69] [70] |
38 | Mike Luallen | O-06Col. | 2007-07Jul 2007 | 2010-07Jul 2010 | 1992-0292B |
| [68] [70] [71] [72] [73] |
39 | Noel Zamot | O-06Col. | 2010-07Jul 2010 | 2012-06Jun 2012 | 1993-0293B |
| [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] |
40 | Paul Meyer | O-06Col. | 2012-06Jun 2012 | 2012-08Aug 2012 | n/a |
| [80] [81] |
41 | Lars Hoffman | O-06Col. | 2012-08Aug 2012 | 2012-08Jul 2014 | 1997-0297A |
| [80] [82] [83] |
42 | Charles Webb | O-06Col. | 2012-08Jul 2014 | 2017-07Jul 2017 | 2003-01TBS |
| [84] [85] |
43 | Matthew Higer | O-06Col. | 2017-07Jul 2017 | 2018-07Jul 2018 | 2003-0103A |
| [86] [87] [88] |
44 | Ryan Blake | O-06Col. | 2018-07Jul 2018 | 2020-07Jul 2020 | 2008-0108A |
| [89] [90] |
45 | Sebrina Pabon | O-06Col. | 2020-07Jul 2020 | 2023-09Sep 2023 | 2006-0106A |
| [92] [93] [94] [95] |
46 | James Valpiani | O-06Col. | 2023-09Sep 2023 | 2024-01Present | n/a |
| [96] [97] [98] |
Notable alumni
USAF TPS has produced many notable alumni including astronauts, record-setting aviators, and senior Air Force leaders.
Notes
- ^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. p. 14.
- ^ Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School. p. 7.
- ^ a b Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School. p. 8.
- ^ Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School. p. 11.
- ^ https://www.valdosta.edu/afrotc/documents/AFI99-107TestPilotSchool.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. p. 9.
- ^ a b "U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School History". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ "Edwards' History". United States Air Force. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 233.
- ^ Young, J. Forging Aerospace Power for America. pp. 3–4.
- ^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. p. 19.
- ^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. p. 18.
- ^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. p. 8.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 50.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 35–36.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 240.
- ^ "Colonel Hoewing is New NRD Executive" (PDF). The Missileer. 5 (22). Washington, D.C.: United States Air Force: 1. 1966-04-07. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- ^ a b c d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 241.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 38.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 40.
- ^ Lopez. Fighter Pilot's Heaven. p. 129.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 69.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 242.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 41–45.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 70.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 43–46.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 243.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 45.
- ^ a b c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 244.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 47–48.
- ^ Allen. Space Flight Simulator. pp. 793–9.
- ^ Burgess. Fallen Astronauts. p. 13.
- ^ a b c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 48–50.
- ^ Marrett. Contrails Over the Mojave. pp. 59–64.
- ^ a b c d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 245.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 50–51.
- ^ a b c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 246.
- ^ a b c d e f USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 51–53.
- ^ a b c d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 247.
- ^ "Ward Biography". Texas A&M University. Archived from the original on 2017-04-17. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 248.
- ^ "An Abbreviated History of the Class of 1959". United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. Archived from the original on 2008-07-23. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ a b c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 52–54.
- ^ "Staten Biography". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2008-06-15. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ a b c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 249.
- ^ a b c d e USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 54.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 57.
- ^ "Kostelnik Biography". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ a b c d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 250.
- ^ a b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. 58–59.
- ^ a b c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 55.
- ^ "Gardner Biography". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Archived from the original on 2008-06-15. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. p. 251.
- ^ "Test Pilot School visits Russia". United States Air Force. 1997-05-27. Archived from the original on 2001-05-23. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ "Simulator lets students pilot variety of aircraft". Airman Magazine Online. United States Air Force. February 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ "Student test pilots tackle real projects". Desert Wings. United States Air Force. March 1999. Archived from the original on 2001-05-23. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ Sturim, Captain James (2000-11-03). "Class project tests crash avoidance system". Desert Wings. United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2001-05-10. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ "AIAA Ka'iliwai Biography" (PDF). AIAA Distinguished Lecture Program 2005. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. p. 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ "USAF Ka'iliwai Biography". Edwards Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2003-01-06. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
- ^ Doner, Master Sgt. Stefanie (2001-03-21). "Test Pilot School commandant has Edwards and flight test in his blood". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2001-05-06. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ Hague, Capt. Catie (2003-07-18). "TPS sponsors AFIT doctoral program, searches for applicants". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ "Haendschke Biography" (PDF). Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Retrieved 2008-07-02. [dead link]
- ^ "USAF TPS". Edwards Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2005-07-14. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ^ "New Test Pilot School Commandant". United States Air Force. 2003-06-13. Archived from the original on 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ Hague, Capt. Catie (2003-08-01). "Test Pilot School reaches new heights with space test course". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ Hague, Capt. Catie (2003-11-21). "U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School wins ITEA award". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2006-07-27. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ Davis, Second Lt. Brooke (2004-06-18). "TPS dedicates classroom to honor late aviation legend". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2006-07-26. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ a b "'Tench hut". Edwards Air Force Base. 2007-07-10. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ Perry, Della (2007-06-04). "U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School graduates 146th class". Edwards Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ a b Reyes, Julius Delos (2008-06-11). "TPS confers its first master's degrees". Edwards Air Force Base. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Taylor, Annamaria (2008-06-10). "USAF Test Pilot School graduates class 07B". Edwards Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ "AFPC accepting applications for test pilot school". Edwards Air Force Base. 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Thuloweit, Kenji (2010-03-30). "USAF Test Pilot School Honors Major Graziano". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Thuloweit, Kenji (2010-07-07). "Test Pilot School Welcomes New Commandant". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Hennigan, W. J. (2011-02-09). "Nation's first drone test pilot trainee has the right-click stuff". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ "Two RPA pilots graduate top of class at test pilot school". United States Air Force. 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Mowry, Laura (2012-04-25). "USAF TPS graduates first ever Enlisted Flight Test Course". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Mowry, Laura (2012-05-14). "USAF TPS teaches students to fly, fight, win in cyberspace". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Mowry, Laura (2012-06-20). "TPS commandant bids farewell to Edwards, retires after 25 years of service". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2013-03-09. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ a b Mowry, Laura (2012-08-08). "TPS welcomes new commandant". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Terdiman, Daniel (2012-07-12). "Getting schooled with the Air Force's elite test pilots". CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
- ^ Mowry, Laura (2012-11-02). "Classroom renovations keep TPS students on cutting-edge". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Mowry, Laura (2013-03-07). "Test Pilot School modernizes Systems curriculum". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Amber, Rebecca (2014-07-29). "Webb takes over as new TPS commandant". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- ^ Ball, Christopher (2017-04-13). "TPS students get new knowledge from historic aircraft". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
- ^ Thuloweit, Kenji (2017-07-14). "Higer becomes new commandant at USAF Test Pilot School". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
- ^ "Colonel Matthew W. Higer Biography". United States Air Force. 2016-01-01. Archived from the original on 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
- ^ Thuloweit, Kenji (2017-10-19). "AFMC commander presents TPS with AF-level award". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ^ Thuloweit, Kenji (2018-07-10). "Blake becomes new commandant at U.S.A.F. Test Pilot School". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
- ^ Casem, Giancarlo (2019-09-25). "Air Force's Test Pilot School celebrates semi-sesquicentennial anniversary". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
- ^ Pappalardo, Joe (2019-09-23). "The Air Force's Famed Test Pilot School Is Going To Space". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
- ^ Casem, Giancarlo (2020-07-10). "Test Pilot School welcomes first female, flight test engineer commandant". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- ^ Saunders, Christine (2020-10-05). "Air Force, Space Force select students for space test fundamentals course". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
- ^ Peterson, Jessica (2022-12-07). "USAF Test Pilot School finishes the year strong with partnerships, technical exchanges and holiday festivities". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- ^ "Space Force, Air Force partner to establish new Space Test Course". United States Air Force. 2023-02-27. Archived from the original on 2023-03-09. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ Cloys, Robert (2023-09-05). "ETFC: Developing future test & evaluation leaders". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
During the ceremony, Col. James Valpiani, United States Test Pilot School commandant, addressed the class.
- ^ Kohler, Chase (2024-04-17). "USAF Test Pilot School and DARPA announce breakthrough in aerospace machine learning". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Casem, Giancarlo (2024-06-17). "Space Test Course integrates satellite operations into curriculum for first time". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
References
- "Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School" (PDF). Secretary of the Air Force. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
- Allen, Clifford H. Jr.; Arthur B. Doty Jr.; Everett C. McCormick (June 1966). "Space Flight Simulator for U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School" (PDF). Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 3 (6). American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: 793–9. Bibcode:1966JSpRo...3..793A. doi:10.2514/3.28539. ISSN 0022-4650. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- Burgess, Colin; Kate Doolan; Bert Vis (2003). Fallen Astronauts: Heroes Who Died Reaching for the Moon. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 1-56098-457-0.
- "Graduate Course Catalog and Student Handbook, 2007-08" (PDF). USAF TPS Curriculum Standards Division. 2007-06-22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- Lopez, Donald S. (1995). Fighter Pilot's Heaven: Flight Testing the Early Jets. Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1-56098-457-0.
- Marrett, George J. (2008). Contrails Over the Mojave: The Golden Age of Jet Flight Testing at Edwards Air Force Base. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-511-0.
- USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. Privately Published. 1994.
- Young, James O. (2007). "Forging Aerospace Power for America" (PDF). U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
External links
- "USAF Test Pilot School Fact Sheet". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- "Odd Sisters: B-2 Spirit/Calspan NC-131". NameMedia, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
- "The Pioneers: "Jackie" Parker". Monash University. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- Patrick, Bethanne Kelly. "Doolittle's son and grandson dedicate Tokyo Raid exhibit". Military Advantage. Archived from the original on 2017-04-17. Retrieved 2019-08-23.