Albert Boyd

Who was Albert Boyd?

Albert Boyd was a pioneering test pilot for the United States Air Force. During his 30-year career, he logged more than 23,000 hours of flight time in 723 military aircraft. When he retired in 1957, he had flown every aircraft type operated by the USAF, including attack, cargo, trainer, fighter, experimental, bomber, mission trainer, liaison, observation, and general aviation planes and helicopters.

From 1947 to 1957, Boyd flew and approved every aircraft type acquired by the USAF. When he retired, he was praised as the "Father of Modern Flight Testing," "World's Number One Test Pilot," "Dean of American Test Pilots" and "Father of USAF Test Pilots." Boyd died on September 18, 1976.

His assignments included:

Chief of Flight Section at Wright Patterson AFB

Commander, Experimental Test Pilot School

First Commander, USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base

Commander, Wright Air Development Center

Deputy Commander, Weapons System Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command