Albert Boyd
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Albert Boyd was a pioneering test pilot for the United States Air Force. During his 30 year career, he logged over 23,000 hours of flight time, flying an astounding 723 military aircraft. When he retired in 1957, he had flown every aircraft type operated by the USAF, including attack, cargo, trainer, fighter, experimental, bomber, mission trainer, liaison, observation, and general aviation planes and helicopters.
From 1947 to 1957, the USAF did not acquire a single type of aircraft that Boyd had not personally and flown and approved. When he retired, he was known as the "Father of Modern Flight Testing," "World's Number One Test Pilot," "Dean of American Test Pilots" and "Father of USAF Test Pilots." Boyd died on September 18, 1976.
His assignments included:
- Chief of Flight Section at Wright Patterson AFB
- Commander, Experimental Test Pilot School
- First Commander, USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB
- Commander, Wright Air Development Center
- Deputy Commander, Weapons System Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command
[edit] Awards
- Octave Chanute Award
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Air Power Trophy
- Schilling Award
- Medaille de l'Aeronautique
- Brevet Militarire de Pilote d'Aviation
- Aerospace Walk of Honor (1991)
