Test Pilot Recounts F-117's First Flight

Great interview. I had the pleasure of working with all three test pilots as a young engineer there in the 80's-90's. They were quiet studs - no doubt. The name missing in the interview is Bob Loschke. He was the lead flight controls engineer for Have Blue and the 117. Great guy. The non-linearities in the aerodynamic database of these birds was something no one had seen before. Making them fly with any semblance of handling qualities (or weapons delivery) was a miracle.
Point of trivia - the serial number of the first flight bird 10780 was from the intended first flight date - July 1980.

 

enjoyed this interview