Frederick M. Trapnell

Who was Frederick M. Trapnell?

Frederick Mackay "Fred" Trapnell was a United States Navy admiral and aviation pioneer. Trapnell was the first US Navy pilot to fly a jet aircraft, was considered the best, most experienced naval test aviator of his generation, co-founded the branch's first test pilot school, and played a pivotal role in both the development of future Naval aircraft and the survival of the post-World War II Navy's air arm.

Trapnell was also a cousin of Bataan Death March survivor, LTG Thomas J. H. Trapnell and his nephew, the noted skyjacker, Garrett Brock Trapnell.