Albert Boyd
Albert Boyd | |
|---|---|
Experimental Test Pilot School Commander, USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB Commander, Wright Air Development Center Deputy Commander, Weapons System Headquarters, ARDC | |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Service Medal |
Albert G Boyd (November 22, 1906[1] – September 18, 1976) was a pioneering test pilot for the United States Air Force
From 1947 to 1957, Boyd flew and approved every aircraft type acquired by the USAF. When he retired, he was praised as the "Father of Modern Flight Testing," "World's Number One Test Pilot," "Dean of American Test Pilots" and "Father of USAF Test Pilots."
His assignments included:
- Chief of Flight Section at Wright-Patterson AFB
- Commander of Experimental Test Pilot School
- First commander of USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base
- Commander of Wright Air Development Center (Maj. MiG-15, associated with Operation Moolah.)
- Deputy commander of Weapons System Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command
- Commanding general of Edwards AFB
The prototype
Boyd led the newly formed Air Force's X-1 supersonic flight program and made the selection of Chuck Yeager to pilot the plane.[4]: 98 Yeager described Boyd as a strict disciplinarian who would enforce (often with a very loud voice) USAF uniform regulations. He remarked that "You might be his star pilot, but Lord help you if you came before him in his office with an un-shined belt buckle". Boyd was highly respected by his subordinates.
Boyd died on September 18, 1976. He and his wife Anna Lu (1907–1981) are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[5]
Awards
- Octave Chanute Award
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Air Power Trophy
- Schilling Award
- Médaille de l'Aéronautique
- Brevet Militarire de Pilote d'Aviation
- Aerospace Walk of Honor (1991)[6]
- Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1984.[7]
References
- ^ Fogerty, Robert P. (1953). "Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952, Volume 1 – A thru L" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 202–204. USAF historical studies: no. 91. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "P-80 Shooting Star/44-85200." Archived 2015-01-12 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
- ^ Francillon 1982, pp. 241–242
- ISBN 9780553050936.
- ^ Burial Detail: Boyd, Albert (Section 11, Grave 773-1) – ANC Explorer
- ^ Chandler, John (September 17, 1991). "Neil Armstrong to Join Lancaster Walk of Honor". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Enshrinee Albert Boyd". nationalaviation.org. National Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- City of Lancaster AWOH biography retrieved February 5, 2011.
- Air Force Link Biography retrieved February 5, 2011.
External links
- Albert Boyd at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website
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