David McBride, Director of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Retires

Having begun his career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) some 35 years ago as an intern, Mr. David McBride (pictured) now retires from his position as Director of the Armstrong Flight Research Center (ARFC), effective 30 June 2022.

Mr. McBride was appointed to this position in January 2010 where he oversaw all aspects of management, strategy, and operations at the ARFC, which was one of ten field centers, and the lead for atmospheric flight research, operations and testing.

Mr. Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator stated that “David’s contributions in aviation, science, and exploration have strengthened our agency’s missions and improved the lives of people throughout our country — and will for generations to come.“

Under Mr. McBride’s watch, the ARFC achieved full operational capability with the highly-modded Boeing 747SP Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the flight evaluation of the X-48B/C hybrid/blended wing body experimental aircraft, and demonstration of NASA’s Orion launch abort system as part of the ‘Constellation Program’ in support of the International Space Station.

Mr. Brad Flick (pictured below), presently serving as Deputy Center Director will serve as acting director upon Mr. McBride’s departure.

Prior to that, Mr. McBride was program manager for NASA’s Flight Research Program which involved work on the Helios aircraft, the X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing flight research project, and the Intelligent Flight Control System’s with adaptive neural network control.

He was also chief engineer for the X-33, X31, X29, and the F/A18 Systems research aircraft.

Mr. McBride began as an intern with NASA in 1982 where he specialized in digital flight control systems analysis, later earning a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1985, and an executive MBA from the University of New Mexico.

FMI: https://nasa.gov