Distinguished Lecturer, Mr. Robert
J. Gilliland, first test pilot for the Lockheed SR-71,
will talk about
"Test Flying the World's Fastest Airplanes."
ROBERT J. GILLILAND
Biography
Bob Gilliland graduated from Annapolis in 1949 with an Engineering Degree.
As a midshipman, he saw service on surface ships. When his Annapolis class
was the first to be offered a transfer to the Air Force for pilot training,
Gilliland went to Randolph Field, Texas for flight training. He flew some
of the nation's first jet fighters and even served a combat tour in Korea
in Republic F-84s. He was eventually assigned to Eglin AFB as a test pilot.
Mr. Gilliland has logged more experimental supersonic flight test time above
Mach 2 and Mach 3 than any other pilot. He helped introduce the first American
jets to Europe. As project test pilot for the Lockheed SR-71, he was the first
to fly the aircraft. It roared skyward amid the purple-orange blast of maximum
afterburner on its maiden flight, 22 December 1964. Working with Kelly Johnson,
the Skunk Works founder and his small group of engineers, Bob was the first
to achieve full envelope
expansion of speed and altitude in both the SR-71A and SR-71B.
Prior to involvement with the A-11/A-12, YF-12A, and SR-71, Bob was a Lockheed
company test pilot in the F-104 Starfighter at Palmdale, Edwards AFB, and
in Europe. He holds the Kincheloe award as top test pilot by the society of
Experimental Test Pilots and is currently a trustee of the Association of
Naval Aviation.
Abstract: Test Flying the World's Fastest Airplanes
Mr. Bob Gilliland's talk will cover inception, design, technical, operations,
and political aspects of the SR-71Blackbird, which currently holds the high-altitude
world speed record. He will discuss the F-104 Starfighter, which holds the
low-altitude world speed record and the F117- Stealth and the ATF (YF-22).
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, social 5:30pm, dinner 6:30pm,
program 7pm
TICKET DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 3.
WHERE: CROSSWINDS GOLF COURSE, Airways Avenue (Pooler Pkwy) on East
Side of I-95
MENU: Chicken, Potatoes, Vegetable, Salad, Rolls, Dessert,
Tea & Coffee
COST: $15 MEMBERS, $12 STUDENTS AND CO-OPS, $18 NON-MEMBERS
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: Scott Maher, x.23540; Mark D. Moss, x.23914; Don Freund, x.25399
Drawing will be held for door prize