May 11, 2017 This week in Edwards flight test history On May 10, 1972, Fairchild Republic’s YA-10A Thunderbolt II made its first flight, flown by company chief test pilot Howard “Sam” Nelson. The twin-engine, twin-tailed ground attack aircraft was designed around the GAU-8 Avenger 30mm rotary cannon.
May 10, 2017 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School applications due June 16 Application packages for the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School selection board are due by June 16. The board, set for July 24-26, will consider Total Force officer and civilian applicants to attend training as early as July 2018. Those interested in becoming a test pilot, test combat systems officer,