SETP

It has been a privilege to serve as President of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. Thank you to all who volunteer. If you have a copy of our History of the First 20 Years, please put it back in circulation. -Brian Sandberg

It looks like this "X" thing is here to stay. We got ours in 1956 when C.A. Al McDaniel (F), a Charter Member from Hughes, beat out several other submissions. The blue shading represents the atmosphere turning dark up toward space.

setp.org/symposium/meet… for more information. Questions, please contact laurie@setp.org

“Last Flight” of Col Karol J. “Bo” Bobko, USAF (Ret) (F) 8/17/23 at 85. First class of the USAF Academy in '59, Aerospace Research Pilot School in '66. Astronaut for Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Sole to fly 2 initial flights of Space Shuttles. Astronaut Hall of Fame '11.

In addition to SETP's awards like the Iven C. Kincheloe for test pilot of the year (presented at our Annual Awards Banquet- join us! setp.org/annual-symposi…), we participate in other selections. Congratulations to Julie Clark, recipient of the 2023 NAA Katharine Wright Trophy.

Dr. David Anders received the Spirit of Flight Award. It is presented annually to an EAA member who best exemplifies the spirit of research, development or flight test. The winner is nominated by EAA and is selected by SETP's Board of Directors.

See all the details and register now: setp.org/annual-symposi…

See you at AirVenture?

“Last Flight” of William J. Cox (M) on 2/4/22 at 96. Served in the US Navy as a helicopter pilot during the Korean Conflict. From 1952 to 1965, he was a flight test pilot in the aircraft industry, then worked 20 years with the FAA primarily in research and development.

Census uncovered “Last Flight” of Bruce L. Watson (M) on 1/21/22 at 82 years old. RCAF Harvards, Chipmunks, T33’s, Sabres, F104’s. USAFTPS '74. Canadair TP for the new Challenger jet. Created his own company in which he qualified pilots for new owners of the Challenger jet.

Congrats to our new Fellows to be inducted at our Annual Awards Banquet on 30 September. The black-tie event, a fundraiser for our Scholarship Foundation, is open to the public for $160 a plate. Registration site for the entire S&B will be up soon at setp.org.

“Last Flight” of CAPT Gray D. Morrison III USN (Ret) (AF) 5/2/23 at 71. GA Tech; S-3 pilot; USNTPS. 1988 test pilot for then-top-secret B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber with Northrop. Devoted symposium attendee.

“Last Flight” of Col Roy Gray USMC (Ret) (F) on 9/8/22 at 99. WWII, North Korean POW, CO Marine Aviation Det @ NATC, 20-year civilian engineering contractor @ Pax involved in the development of the F-14 and F/A-18. Flew GA into his 80s. Legend.

Member in the news. flyingmag.com/diamonds-dart-…

Last week the Canadian Section held an educational meeting in symposium format with 11 presentations to 75 attendees. Thanks to Perry Comeau (AF) and Bryan Carrothers (M) for hosting. Best paper went to Billie Flynn (F).

Thank you to all who volunteer to serve our Society!

The European Section wrapped up 4 days of events with more than 15 presentations. Thank you to Mikael Olsson (M) for acting as both Section Chairman and Symposium Chairman. The best was awarded to Billie Flynn (F) for a presentation on a terrain following radar anomaly.

“Last Flight” of Col Maurice “Duke” Johnston USAF (Ret) (M) on 2/14/18 at 83. 4 fours in Vietnam, 157 combat missions. He was the 1st Tactical Air Command pilot to fly the F-16. Worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin as a senior manager and director until 2000.

“Last Flight” of CAPT George Kaseote USN (Ret) (M) on 5/29/22 at 88. Viet Nam War recon pilot. Piper Aircraft & Falcon Jet Corp. After retiring from flying, became an integral member of an elite FAA group writing test piloting manuals that are still used all over the world.

Our Lifetime Member census discovered these late honors: “Last Flight”, CAPT A.W. Chandler USN (Ret) (M), 1/27/13 at 89. WWII, 1st American jet fighter exchange pilot to the Royal Navy, test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River. San Diego Gaslamp District developer.