Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

April 21, 2006

LAST FLIGHTS

The Society of Experimental Test Pilots was saddened to learn of the loss of Scott Crossfield on 19 April 2006. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  Mr. Crossfield's superlative legacy of safe exploration of the at-the-time unknown edges of the flight envelope have set a standard that all test pilots hold in the highest esteem.  He was the epitome of the experimental test pilot -- both brave but cautious, extremely knowledgeable, a fact-driven engineer, but an incredible "natural" pilot as well.  He is best known as the first man to fly faster than twice the speed of sound, but his flight test career involved many varied projects for NACA (the predecessor to NASA) and North American Aviation.  He richly deserved the many prestigious awards granted him over the years:  the Collier Trophy for 1961 from the National Aeronautics Association, presented by President John F. Kennedy at the White House in 1962 and the International Clifford B. Harmon Trophy for 1960, presented by President Kennedy in the White House the year before. Crossfield was also inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (1983), the International Space Hall of Fame (1988), and the Aerospace Walk of Honor (1990).  He was also awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal in 1993.  Scott was a Charter Member and Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.   He will be sorely missed. 

Michael V. Rabens, President, Society of Experimental Test Pilots

Scott Crossfield’s funeral will be held on 1300, 15 August 2006, with full military honors. Attendees should gather at the Administration Building, Arlington Cemetery about  one hour prior. Proceed to an assigned reception room to greet the family. At 1300, everyone shall get into their cars and follow the car bearing the urn to a transfer point. The urn will be placed upon a horse pulled caisson. From there the Chaplain will lead the Honor Guard and the caisson to the Columbarium where the urn will be placed. It is anticipated that there shall be a fly-over also.

Following the burial there will be a reception at the Army –Navy Country Club. The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers to either of the following:

Civil Air Patrol
Att: Judy Rice
105 So. Hansell St., Bldg. 714
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112
Make check payable to: CAP (Crossfield Teacher of the Year Award)

Or

SETP Scholarship Foundation
secure on-line contributions at http://www.setp.org/HTML/Info/scholarship.htm
or make check payable to SETP Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 986, Lancaster, CA 93584

_________________

The Society mourns the passing of Colonel Brian A. “Hooter” Simpson, USAF (AF). Hooter was the Special Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, CA. He supported the control and management of over 17,000 people; a budget of over one billion dollars; approximately 300,000 acres of land and facility assets valued at over six billion dollars and the operation of over 90 test and test support aircraft consisting of more than 15 different types.

Colonel Simpson was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and graduated from Milton High School in Milton, Florida in 1980. He received his commission in 1984 from the United States Air Force Academy as a distinguished graduate with honors and a Bachelor’s Degree in Astronautical Engineering. He held a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Florida. During his career, he gained extensive flight experience in training, operational, test and evaluation organizations. Colonel Simpson was a distinguised graduate of Squadron Officer School and the US Air Force Test Pilot School. He was an in-residence graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He had accumulated over 4,300 hours in more than 60 different types of aircraft, including over 3,000 hours in all variants of the F-16. He is survived by his wife Cindy and their two sons Christopher and Drew.

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