Sojourner - Traveling with the “Canman”

  Just before the holidays began, I headed out to flight test mecca to do some SFTE evangelizing. The Antelope Valley, Home to the "Right Stuff" and many firsts, was my destination.  And my trip was a series of delightful professional and personal firsts. I stayed with my old friend Dan "Dog" Canin, until recently the chief pilot for the X-59, until a medical "trip wire" (and some politics) prevented him from piloting the first flight of an aircraft he had been helping develop for 8 years.  The big vistas from home in the hills overlooking Palmdale were thought-provoking.   The AV valley air is dry and clean.  I like California for that.   The first morning, I had the privilege of meeting with the Retired Major Gen and now B-21 T&E lead, Chris "Pizano" Anzzano, and his Dir Bill Condor Koyama, a former LM Test Pilot.  We swapped a few stories, and I learned even at their level, they are always in a "low-grade fight" to gain T&E r...

  The 2025 ITPS symposium was another great opportunity to meet expert and novice flight testers and learn important flight test insights on a wide range of topics.  I chose to drive from Detroit in light snowy weather.  I am so glad I live in a modern society with heat and shelter.  Not sure I could have survived in the American Revolutionary days.  At the Canadian border, we were stopped as we learned that you can't enter Canada to give a talk if you are there for more than 5 days without a visa.  Fortunately we weren't.  Arriving at the Hardrock Hotel I was informed they  had a huge assortment of classic guitars and vinyl records that you can check out for free. Great for me to practice for my upcoming performance of "Carol of the Bells" London, Canada Hard Rock Hotel- Guitar   It is very encouraging to see another cadre of flight testers gaining the key competencies necessary for becoming "4C" (i.e., Competent, Confident, Courageous, Comm...