Was Chief Test Pilot For Lockheed Aircraft Corporation

Former FAA Associate Administrator for International Affairs and Policy Donald Riley Segner has Gone West. Segner passed away May 10 at his home in Laguna Beach, CA at the age of 93.

Segner was remembered by his friend Irene Howie on the JDA Journal website. He served under FAA Administrator Lynn Helms during the Reagan administration, and brought a wealth of aviation experience to the position.

Segner joined the Marine Corps at age 18 in 1943 and became a pilot. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement during the Korean War.

After the war, he became a test pilot, and was the first person to fly the tilt-rotor aircraft which was the foundation for the V-22 Osprey. After retiring from the Marines, he went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, where he served as Chief Test piot and Manager of Advanced Design. In that role, he was the first to fly seven different aircraft. Segner received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots for his accomplishments while working on the AH-56 Cheyenne helicopter program. He set two world speed records in that aircraft, the last set at 272 mph. Throughout his career, he flew 176 different types of aircraft.

Segner retired to his home in Laguna Beach following his tenure at the FAA, but he continued to work in aviation as a consultant on various projects and engaged with the community on issues related to John Wayne Airport.

(Image courtesy Lockheed)

FMI: Source report