Will Be Held October 21 In Lancaster, CA
The Flight Test Historical Foundation will be hosting the Gathering of Eagles event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the F-22 aircraft’s first flight. The event will take place on October 21st at the H.W. Hunter Pavilion at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, CA. Social hour begins at 4:45 PM with dinner at 6:00 PM, followed by a panel discussion and an auction of aviation memorabilia.
Edwards Federal Credit Union is the signature sponsor for this event and the general public is invited to attend to show their support and appreciation to our nation’s aviators and the amazing aircraft built by the Lockheed Martin and Boeing Aircraft Companies. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind aviation memorabilia at the live and silent auctions, signed by aviation legends and F-22 crew members and personnel.
The honorees at this year's event include:
- Paul Metz – 1st Fight, Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot
- Chuck Killberg – 1st Boeing Test Pilot
- Bret Luedke – 2nd Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot
- Randy Neville – 2nd Boeing Test Pilot
- James “JB” Brown – 3rd Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot
- Steve “Hooter” Rainey – Current Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot
David P. 'Cools' Cooly will be honored posthumously.
The Flight Test Historical Foundation is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components. It has no government status. The Foundation is a 501(C)(3)non-profit private organization raising funds to relocate the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force base, and for college STEM Scholarships.
(Source: The Flight Test Historical Foundation. Image provided)