John Arthur Macready (October 14, 1887 – September 15, 1979) was an American test pilot and aviator. He was the only three-time recipient of the Mackay Trophy, receiving the trophy three consecutive years.[1]
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Born in San Diego, California, Macready received a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University in 1912.[1] He enlisted in the Army in 1917, earning his pilot's wings at Rockwell Field, in San Diego. He quickly rose to the position of flight instructor at the Army Pilot School at Brooks Field, Texas. While based at Brooks Field Lt. Macready wrote a basic flight manual for student pilots, tilted "The All Thru System of Flying Instructions". The book became the U.S. military's basic flight manual during the early years of aviation.
In 1918, Lt. Macready was assigned to McCook Field, the Army Signal Corps' new experimental test field in Dayton, Ohio.[2] On 3 August 1921, Lt. Macready became the first person to test fly an experimental aerial application system for spraying pesticides from an aircraft, flying the world's first "crop duster".[2] At McCook he also became the first pilot to bail out of a stricken aircraft at night.[2]
In 1921, he set an altitude record of 34,509 feet for which he was awarded the first of three consecutive Mackay trophies.[2][3]
Macready was recalled to active duty in World War II. He served as a colonel and commanded several Army Air Force groups, as well as serving in North Africa as inspector general for the Twelfth Air Force.[1] Macready was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.[3] He retired from active duty in 1948.[3]
Macready remains the only person to win the Mackay Trophy three times. The trophy is awarded for the year's greatest accomplishment in aviation by an American pilot. Lt. Macrady won the trophy in three consecutive years.[2]