Commandants of the USAF Test Pilot School

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USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California

The commanding officer of the United States 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] 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.^[5] The school was established on September 9, 1944 as the Flight Test Training Unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) in Dayton, Ohio.^[6] 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.^[6] Edwards AFB is the home of the Air Force Flight Test Center and has been an integral part of flight testing for over fifty years.^[7]

Between 1962 and 1972, the Test Pilot School expanded its role to include astronaut training for military test pilots.^[8] 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.^[9] 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.^[10] 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, and France's EPNER.^[11]

1 Commandants
- 1.1 Key
- 1.2 List of Commandants
2 Notable alumni
3 References
4 Notes
5 External links

[edit] Commandants

The following list provides a complete list of commandants of the USAF 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.

[edit] 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.^[12]
Class	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.^[13]
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.

[edit] List of Commandants

Buzz Aldrin

Gene Deatrick

Jim Doolittle, III

Guy Gardner

George Ka'iliwai III

Michael Kostelnik

Mike Luallen

Chuck Yeager

* Individual was killed in an aviation-related accident.

Name	Rank	From	To	Class	Notable events during tenure	Ref
Hoewing, Ralph C. Ralph C. Hoewing	O-04Maj.	1944-09Sep 1944	1945-01Jan 1945	n/a	Sep 9, 1944—USAAF Flight Test Training Unit set up at Wright Field, Ohio AT-6 introduced	^[14] ^[15]
Muehlberg, J. R. J. R. "Dick" Muehlberg	O-05Lt. Col.	1945-01Jan 1945	1946-01Jan 1946	n/a	B-25, B-17, P-51 introduced Jan 1945—School moved to Vandalia airport School renamed Flight Performance School Late 1945—School moved to Patterson field	^[14] ^[16]
Hoewing, Ralph C. Ralph C. Hoewing	O-04Maj.	1946-01Jan 1946	1947-05May 1947	n/a	Curriculum expanded to include Stability and Control testing	^[16] ^[17]
Wiehrdt, Leonard I. Leonard I. Wiehrdt	O-04Maj.	1947-05May 1947	1947-10Oct 1947	1946-0446D	Aug 1947—F-80 introduced	^[16] ^[17]
Moon, Leo C. Leo C. Moon	O-05Lt. Col.	1947-10Oct 1947	1949-10Oct 1949	1947-0147	47—First USAF class. First class to fly jets School renamed Air Material Command Experimental Test Pilot School	^[16] ^[18] ^[19]
Chilstrom, Kenneth O. Kenneth O. Chilstrom	O-04Maj.	1949-10Oct 1949	1950-10Oct 1950	1945-0145	50C—Last class at Wright Field	^[20] ^[21]
Amann, John R. John R. Amann	O-05Lt. Col.	1950-10Oct 1950	1956-05May 1956	1949-0449D	Feb 4, 1951—School moved to Edwards AFB (south base) 51A—First class held at Edwards AFB May 1951—T-28, B-26 introduced Apr 2, 1951—School renamed Air Research and Development Command Experimental Test Pilot School Jan 1, 1953—School renamed USAF Experimental Test Pilot School 1953—T-33, F-84 introduced Jun 9, 1955—School renamed USAF Flight Test School Mar 14, 1956—School moved to main base building 1220 1956—F-86, F-100 introduced	^[21] ^[22] ^[23]
Leonhardt, Herbert V. Herbert V. Leonhardt	O-05Lt. Col.	1956-05May 1956	1959-06Jun 1959	1955-0355C	Jul 3, 1956—School emblem approved Jun 17, 1957—First student field trip overseas 1957—NB-57 introduced Curriculum expanded from six to eight months Number of classes per year reduced from four to three 1958—TF-102 introduced	^[24] ^[25]
Lathrop, Richard C. Richard C. Lathrop	O-04Maj.	1959-06Jun 1959	1961-06Jun 1961	1955-0455D	60B—US Army helicopter test pilot course UH-1, F-104 introduced	^[26] ^[27]
Howe, Robert M. Robert M. Howe	O-05Lt. Col.	1961-06Jun 1961	1962-07Jul 1962	1949-0449D, 52B	Jun 5, 1961—Aerospace Research Pilot Course introduced 1961—T-27 space flight simulator introduced Oct 12, 1961—School renamed USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School Late 1962—T-38 introduced	^[27] ^[28] ^[29] ^[30]
Yeager, Charles E.Charles E. Yeager	O-06Col.	1962-07Jul 1962	1966-07Jul 1966	1946-0346C, 51A	NF-101 introduced July 1, 1963—ARPS consolidated into TPS curriculum Number of classes per year reduced from three to two Calspan B-26, H-13 introduced Feb 7, 1966—First Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL) class	^[27] ^[31] ^[32]
Buchanan, Robert S. Robert S. Buchanan	O-06Col.	1966-07Jul 1966	1967-05May 1967	1957-0157A, I	F-106 introduced	^[31] ^[33]
Deatrick, Jr., Eugene P.Eugene P. Deatrick, Jr.	O-06Col.	1967-05May 1967	1968-06Jun 1968	1951-0151A, 53C	NF-104, NF-106 introduced	^[31] ^[33]
Hendrix, George D. George D. Hendrix	O-05Lt. Col.	1968-06Jun 1968	1968-08Aug 1968	1957-0157A	n/a	^[33]
Christian, Jr., Harold W. Harold W. Christian, Jr.	O-06Col.	1968-08Aug 1968	1971-01Jan 1971	1952-0352C	Gliders, A-7 introduced	^[33] ^[34]
Campbell, William J. William J. Campbell	O-06Col.	1971-01Jan 1971	1971-07Jul 1971	1962-0362C, IV	ARPS courses eliminated	^[13] ^[35]
Aldrin, Edwin E. "Buzz"Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin	O-06Col.	1971-07Jul 1971	1972-02Feb 1972	n/a	Systems Test Phase introduced	^[34] ^[35]
Guthrie, Jr., Joseph A. Joseph A. Guthrie, Jr.	O-06Col.	1972-02Feb 1972	1975-07Jul 1975	1958-0358C	Jul 1, 1972—School renamed USAF Test Pilot School RF-4 introduced Feb 26, 1973—Flight test engineer course initiated Calspan NT-33, NKC-135 introduced 74B—First student navigator and first female student flight test engineer Sep 1, 1975—Course expanded from 44 to 46 weeks	^[35] ^[36]
Glasgow, Warwick H. Warwick H. Glasgow	O-06Col.	1975-07Jul 1975	1977-12Dec 1977	1965-0365C	YA-7D DIGITAC, A-37 introduced	^[36] ^[37]
Ward, Donald T. Donald T. Ward	O-06Col.	1978-01Jan 1978	1979-06Jun 1979	n/a	May 19, 1979—Boyd Hall dedicated	^[36] ^[37] ^[38]
Van Pelt, Larry G. Larry G. Van Pelt	O-05Lt. Col.	1979-06Jun 1979	1979-08Aug 1979	1966-0166A	n/a	^[36] ^[37]
Suits, Norman L. Norman L. Suits	O-06Col.	1979-08Aug 1979	1980-06Jun 1980	1968-0168A	n/a	^[36] ^[37]
Madonna, Donald E. Donald E. Madonna*	O-06Col.	1980-06Jun 1980	1982-03Mar 1982	1966-0166A	UV-18, U-6, Calspan LJ-24 introduced	^[36] ^[39] ^[40]
Sexton, Michael E. Michael E. Sexton	O-05Lt. Col.	1982-03Mar 1982	1982-07Jul 1982	1969-0169A	82B—Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) program with TPS begins	^[39] ^[41]
Staten, Kenneth E. Kenneth E. Staten	O-06Col.	1982-07Jul 1982	1983-08Aug 1983	1968-0168A	n/a	^[41] ^[42]
Hayashi, Melvin Melvin Hayashi	O-06Col.	1983-08Aug 1983	1985-07Jul 1985	1972-0272B	Calspan Avionics Systems Test and Training Aircraft (ASTTA) NC-131 introduced	^[43] ^[44]
Marks, Michael D. Michael D. Marks	O-06Col.	1985-07Jul 1985	1987-03Mar 1987	1975-0175A	Dec 5, 1986—Scobee Auditorium dedicated	^[43] ^[44]
Kostelnik, Michael C. Michael C. Kostelnik	O-06Col.	1987-03Mar 1987	1989-07Jul 1989	1977-0177A	88B—First female student test pilot enrolled Integrated Flight Data Acquisition System (IFDAPS) introduced	^[41] ^[43] ^[45] ^[46]
Pollock, Elton T. Elton T. Pollock	O-06Col.	1989-07Jul 1989	1991-06Jun 1991	1976-0276B	First USAF Reservist joined TPS staff Test management phase added to curriculum C-23 introduced	^[44] ^[47] ^[48]
Gardner, Guy S.Guy S. Gardner	O-06Col.	1991-06Jun 1991	1992-08Aug 1992	1975-0175A	NC-141 introduced	^[47] ^[49] ^[50]
Strittmatter, Harold T. Harold T. Strittmatter	O-06Col.	1992-08Aug 1992	1994-04Apr 1994	1981-0281B	F-16B, F-15B introduced	^[47] ^[49]
Doolittle III, James H. James H. Doolittle III	O-06Col.	1994-04Apr 1994	1996-08Aug 1996	1979-0279B	Sep 9, 1994—50th anniversary of USAF Test Pilot School 95B—First class to use individual student cubicles and Pentium laptops T-2, NF-16D Variable-Stability Inflight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA), F-15E introduced	^[44] ^[47] ^[49] ^[48]
Henwood, Barton E. Barton E. Henwood	O-06Col.	1996-08Aug 1996	1998-04Apr 1998	1984-0184A	NT-39 introduced	^[44] ^[51]
Cameron, Steve Steve Cameron	O-06Col.	1998-04Apr 1998	2001-01Jan 2001	1985-0285B	n/a	^[52]
Ka'iliwai III, George George Ka'iliwai III	O-06Col.	2001-01Jan 2001	2003-06Jun 2003	1984-0284B	First flight test engineer and non-rated TPS Commandant	^[53] ^[54]
Haendschke, Ernie H. Ernie H. Haendschke	O-06Col.	2003-06Jun 2003	2005-07Jul 2005	1987-0287B	n/a	^[55] ^[56]
Gerner, Andre A. Andre A. Gerner	O-06Col.	2005-07Jul 2005	2007-07Jul 2007	1991-0191A	06B—First husband and wife team graduates	^[57] ^[58]
Luallen, Mike Mike Luallen	O-06Col.	2007-07Jul 2007	2008-07Present	1992-0292B	07B—First class to receive Master of Science in Flight Test	^[57] ^[59] ^[60]

[edit] Notable alumni

Main article: List of USAF Test Pilot School alumni

USAF TPS has produced many notable alumni including astronauts, record-setting aviators, and senior Air Force leaders.

[edit] References

USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. Privately Published. 1994.
(2002-09-23). "Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School" (PDF). Secretary of the Air Force. Retrieved on 2008-07-19.
(2007-06-22). "Graduate Course Catalog and Student Handbook, 2007-08" (PDF). USAF TPS Curriculum Standards Division. Retrieved on 2008-07-19.
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 (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) 3 (6): 793–9. ISSN 0022-4650. http://pdf.aiaa.org/jaPreview/JSR/1966/PVJAPRE28539.pdf. Retrieved on 12 September 2008.
Burgess, Colin; Kate Doolan, Bert Vis (2003). Fallen Astronauts: Heroes Who Died Reaching for the Moon. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 1560984570. http://books.google.com/books?id=iJ8WwRBNgk0C. Retrieved on 12 September 2008.
Lopez, Donald S. (1995). Fighter Pilot's Heaven: Flight Testing the Early Jets. Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1560984570. http://books.google.com/books?id=CiomGQAACAAJ&dq=Fighter+Pilots+Heave+Lopez. Retrieved on 9 August 2008.
Marrett, George J. (2008). Contrails Over the Mojave: The Golden Age of Jet Flight Testing at Edwards Air Force Base. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1591145112. http://books.google.com/books?id=2k9hHwAACAAJ&dq=Contrails+Over+the+Mojave. Retrieved on 9 August 2008.
Young, James O. (2007). "Forging Aerospace Power for America" (PDF). U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-03.

[edit] Notes

^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. pp. p. 14.
^ Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School. pp. p. 7.
^ ^a ^b Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School. pp. p. 8.
^ Air Force Instruction 99-107, Test Pilot School. pp. p. 11.
^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. pp. p. 9.
^ ^a ^b "U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School History". United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2008-08-10.
^ "Edwards Air Force Base". United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2008-08-05.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 233.
^ Young, J. Forging Aerospace Power for America. pp. pp. 3–4.
^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. pp. p. 19.
^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. pp. p. 18.
^ USAF TPS Graduate Course Catalog. pp. p. 8.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 50.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 35–36.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 240.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 241.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 38.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 40.
^ Lopez. Fighter Pilot's Heaven. pp. p. 129.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 69.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 242.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 41–45.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 70.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 43–46.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 243.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 45.
^ ^a ^b ^c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 244.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 47–48.
^ Allen. Space Flight Simulator. pp. pp.793–9.
^ Burgess. Fallen Astronauts. pp. p. 13.
^ ^a ^b ^c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp.48–50.
^ Marrett. Contrails Over the Mojave. pp. pp. 59–64.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 245.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 50–51.
^ ^a ^b ^c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 246.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 51–53.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 247.
^ "Ward Biography". Texas A&M University. Retrieved on 2008-11-27.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 248.
^ "An Abbreviated History of the Class of 1959". United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. Retrieved on 2008-09-07.
^ ^a ^b ^c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 52–54.
^ "Staten Biography". United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2008-06-22.
^ ^a ^b ^c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 249.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 54.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 57.
^ "Kostelnik Biography". United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2008-06-22.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 250.
^ ^a ^b USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. pp. 58–59.
^ ^a ^b ^c USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 55.
^ "Gardner Biography". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved on 2008-06-22.
^ USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. pp. p. 251.
^ "Simulator lets students pilot variety of aircraft". Airman Magazine Online. United States Air Force (February 2001). Retrieved on 2008-09-07.
^ "AIAA Ka'iliwai Biography" (PDF). AIAA Distinguished Lecture Program 2005 p. 40. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Retrieved on 2008-09-07.
^ "USAF Ka'iliwai Biography". Edwards Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2003-01-06. Retrieved on 2008-11-29.
^ "Haendschke Biography" (PDF). Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Retrieved on 2008-07-02.
^ "USAF TPS". Edwards Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 2005-07-14. Retrieved on 2008-11-27.
^ ^a ^b "'Tench hut". Edwards Air Force Base (2007-07-10). Retrieved on 2008-09-09.
^ Perry, Della (2007-06-04). "U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School graduates 146th class". Edwards Air Force Base. Retrieved on 2008-09-10.
^ Taylor, Annamaria (2008-06-10). "USAF Test Pilot School graduates class 07B". Edwards Air Force Base. Retrieved on 2008-09-11.
^ Reyes, Julius Delos (2008-06-11). "TPS confers its first master's degrees". Edwards Air Force Base. Retrieved on 2008-09-06.

[edit] External links

"USAF Test Pilot School Fact Sheet". United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2008-07-06.
"Odd Sisters: B-2 Spirit/Calspan NC-131". NameMedia, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-06-22.
"The Pioneers: "Jackie" Parker". Monash University. Retrieved on 2008-09-07.
"Doolittle's son and grandson dedicate Tokyo Raid exhibit". Military Advantage. Retrieved on 2008-09-07.

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