"Test Flying the World's Fastest Airplanes" - Meeting Report

The first Distinguished Lecturer Dinner of the 2001-2002 AIAA year saw a change of venue. The dinner, which was
held on October 10th, 2001, took place at the Crosswinds Golf Club.

Our distinguished lecturer was Mr. Robert Gilliland who has logged more experimental supersonic flight test time
above Mach 2 and Mach 3 than any other pilot. As project test pilot for the Lockheed SR-71, he was the first to fly the aircraft. Mr. Gilliland's lecture was very informative as well as enjoyable. We learned of the difficulties and
emergencies Mr. Gilliland had to face when flying the Blackbird. In addition, Mr. Gilliland talked in depth about his
personal relationship with aerospace engineering legend C.L. "Kelly" Johnson, head of the famed Lockheed "Skunk Works."

The dinner had forty four guests in attendance from the Savannah Section of AIAA including three members who
have just recently been promoted to the status of AIAA Associate Fellow. These members are Steven Cass,
Mark D. Moss, and Frank Simmons III. Congratulations goes out to these members for achieving this recognition,
as it is an indication of their strong dedication to the field of aerospace and we are honored to have them amongst
our membership.

At the beginning of the dinner, Mr. Pat Connor gave us an update on the Pre-College Outreach activities which he will oversee this year. You can view Pat's newsletter article here.

We are most grateful to Jason Thomas for capturing the evening for us with a pictorial record!

Our next distingushed lecturer is in planning, and the Savannah Section officers will keep you informed as to when
this will occur.

New venue - Crosswinds Golf Club

 

Chairman Freund congratulates new AIAA Associate Fellows
From left to right: Frank Simmons III, Steven Cass, Chairman Freund, Mark D. Moss

 

Pre-College Outreach and Education Chairman Pat Connor talks about upcoming education activities

 

Chairman Freund congratulates last year's Chairman Doug McKissack on a successful year

 

Distinguished speaker, Mr. Rob Gilliland, during his speech

 

Mr. Gilliland signs Keiko's "SR-71 - First Flight" picture