Antelope Valley California - Experiencing Firsts in the Land of the Firsts
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 "Dawg" 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 resources. Then had an amazing tour of their F-35 production facility. In the afternoon, I presented the 412th Test Wing commander and team with the very first SFTE Recommended Practices Certificate. I had worked with some of this team while at Lockheed Martin on the F-35 I lunched with X-59 lead FTE and first flight test conductor, Caitlyn Fayhey, who had until recently been on X-59. Caitlyn, a former LM colleague, now works at NASA Armstrong, making history. Stopped by and spoke with some of the USAF TPS instructors. AI is coming on.
That evening, some more firsts. I attended the National Test Pilot School class graduation with a lovely flight tester colleague, Johana. This was my first time meeting Johana, a Boeing instrumentation engineer with an inspiring life story. We found so much to talk about regarding life and goals. While at the graduation, we got to hobnob with NTPS faculty, including over a wonderful dinner, culminating with the opportunity to hear from Nils Larson, the pilot who ultimately flew the first X-59 flight. Nils talks about how determination and being at the right place are the secret sauce for "sometimes" getting what you think you want. But then again, tell that to Dawg...
.jpg) |
| Nils Larson & Johana |
 |
| NTPS CEO Jeff Trang & Johana |
A significant portion of the class was from Italy. And one from Leonardo remembered me. è un mondo piccolo
 |
| Tutti gli studenti italiani dell'NTPS |
The next day my friend Dawg took me flying in his Marchetti from Fox field. It was a kick and a gentle reminder of my g pulling days. At the end of an hour I was ready to land. I loved the tactical mission, but don't like flying for flying's sake.
 |
| Back in the cockpit for a little acro |
 |
| Dawg Canin |
Comments
Post a Comment