Genghis the Engineer
2nd May 2006, 17:12
Veteran Test Pilot Al White recently passed away on 29 April 2006.
Mr. White, a veteran engineering test pilot and winner of the nation’s highest achievement awards in flying, joined TWA, working on advanced aircraft programs, with emphasis on the giant Boeing 747 and supersonic transport types which TWA had on order for service in the 1970s. In 1965 he won the 2 top awards for his profession: The Kincheloe Award, presented by SETP and the Octave Chanute Award. Al earned his laurels for his role in flight testing the 2,000 mph XB-70 research aircraft. Citations in 1966 included the American Academy of Achievement Gold Plate Award, the Harmon Trophy and the National Aviation Club Award for Achievement in recognition of his work with the XB-70.
Mr. White then joined North American in 1954 as an engineering test pilot following 11 years with the USAF, including 3 years as an experimental test pilot. As a North American test pilot, he participated in the flight testing of the F-86 Sabre Jet, the F-100 Super Sabre series, the F-107 and the Sabreliner Business Jet. In 1958 he was named project pilot on the XB-70, the world’s largest supersonic aircraft, and was at the controls when the aircraft made its first flight in September 1964. He also piloted the XB-70 on its first 2,000 mph flight and all subsequent Mach 3 flights. In February 1961, he was named chief test pilot for North American and was a member of the government’s SST Advisory Group for 2 years.
Al was born on December 9, 1918 in Berkeley, California. He received a degree in engineering from the University of Berkeley in 1947. He joined the Air Corps in 1941 and served as an advanced instructor before going overseas. He spent 2 years in the European theater flying the P-51 Mustang fighters in 6 major campaigns, including the “Battle of the Bulge”. Al joined SETP in 1956 and was President in 1961.
Mr. White, a veteran engineering test pilot and winner of the nation’s highest achievement awards in flying, joined TWA, working on advanced aircraft programs, with emphasis on the giant Boeing 747 and supersonic transport types which TWA had on order for service in the 1970s. In 1965 he won the 2 top awards for his profession: The Kincheloe Award, presented by SETP and the Octave Chanute Award. Al earned his laurels for his role in flight testing the 2,000 mph XB-70 research aircraft. Citations in 1966 included the American Academy of Achievement Gold Plate Award, the Harmon Trophy and the National Aviation Club Award for Achievement in recognition of his work with the XB-70.
Mr. White then joined North American in 1954 as an engineering test pilot following 11 years with the USAF, including 3 years as an experimental test pilot. As a North American test pilot, he participated in the flight testing of the F-86 Sabre Jet, the F-100 Super Sabre series, the F-107 and the Sabreliner Business Jet. In 1958 he was named project pilot on the XB-70, the world’s largest supersonic aircraft, and was at the controls when the aircraft made its first flight in September 1964. He also piloted the XB-70 on its first 2,000 mph flight and all subsequent Mach 3 flights. In February 1961, he was named chief test pilot for North American and was a member of the government’s SST Advisory Group for 2 years.
Al was born on December 9, 1918 in Berkeley, California. He received a degree in engineering from the University of Berkeley in 1947. He joined the Air Corps in 1941 and served as an advanced instructor before going overseas. He spent 2 years in the European theater flying the P-51 Mustang fighters in 6 major campaigns, including the “Battle of the Bulge”. Al joined SETP in 1956 and was President in 1961.