EAA Aviation Center - May 18, 2005 - Gary Aldrich has flown about 5,000 hours in more than 40 different types of military and civilian aircraft, and so far his total takeoffs have equaled his total landings. “And that’s the way I’d like to keep it,” says the 22-year US Air Force veteran.
Aldrich, a test pilot instructor at Edwards Air Force Base in California was the May Young Eagles Webchat guest. The live, text-based chat was held on Wednesday, May 18. Questions submitted by web site visitors were answered in real-time.
During the Webchat, Aldrich said he’s never had to eject from an airplane. “Fortunately, with our level of safety and technology that event is not as frequent as it was in the 60s,” he said. But fear also plays a part in keeping him safe.
“Maj. Gen. Joe Engle, who earned his astronaut wings in the X-15, was once asked whether he was afraid when he was launched on his first Space Shuttle mission. He said, ‘If you are riding on top of 7.5 million pounds of thrust and you aren’t a little concerned, you just don’t understand your situation.’ Fear is sometimes a good thing. It sets limits and causes you to analyze a situation before you act.”
Yet being a test pilot isn’t all excitement. Much of the job is boring, Aldrich says. If you’re flying a test mission, you show up early to prepare and study the test cards, and then you participate in a briefing with the test team. Next, you’ll suit up and check in with the maintenance crew. After that, it’s pretty scripted.
“You take off, perform the proper maneuvers and complete the mission with a landing,” Aldrich says. “After the mission, there are more briefings and meetings to analyze the results and plan for the next day. The actual flying part can be the shortest portion of the day.”
The “weirdest” aircraft he’s ever piloted is the Goodyear Blimp. “It has no roll control, only rudder pedals and a huge wheel beside your seat to control pitch.”
The fastest he’s ever flown is Mach 1.98. “I couldn’t quite coax that F-4 past Mach 2.”
The highest he’s flown? Just over 50,000 feet in an F-15. “But I once ‘flew” to over 120,000 feet in a pressure chamber while wearing a space suit.”
And for those who dream of becoming a test pilot, the best thing you can do is learn to fly early, study hard and get into a good college, Aldrich says. “It’s pretty competitive so your grades and flying performance have to be top notch.”
Want to know more? Check out the Webchat transcript.
About Gary Aldrich
- •He earned his private pilot’s license at 19 and has been flying for 35 years.
- •In addition to his military ratings, he holds a civilian commercial pilot’s certificate with ratings for single and multi-engine aircraft and gliders.
- •He holds a “Gold Seal” flight instructor certificate
- •He graduated from the US Air Force Test Pilot School and earned a master’s degree in aviation management at Central Missouri State University.
- •He is president of EAA Chapter 1000 and has flown more than 80 Young Eagles.
COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT
To learn more about Gary:
EAA Chapter 1000
Edwards Air Force Base
USAF Test Pilot School
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Gary and his pride and joy, a Cessna C-180
Gary has flown more than 80 EAA Young
Eagles including Ryan Harband of Palmdale
and James Howell of Lancaster.
What is a Webchat?
The Young Eagle Webchat is an opportunity for interesting people in aviation to answer your questions directly. The text-based chat is available on the third Wednesday of the month between 7 and 8 p.m. central time. Simply log in to the chat with your list of questions!
Who’s next?
The Young Eagle’s next Web chat will be with test pilot and world’s first civilian astronaut, Mike Melvill. Mike flew SpaceShipOne to space and back last year. Mark your calendar now for the next Young Eagles Webchat on Wednesday, June 15, 7 - 8 p.m. CDT
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