2012 David L. Vanhoy

2012 Kelly Johnson Nomination — David Vanhoy

I am very pleased and proud to nominate Mr. David L. Vanhoy for the 2012 SFTE Kelly Johnson Award.

Dave graduated from two of the most prestigious aerospace engineering schools in the United States, the George Institute of Technology (with highest honors) and the University of Maryland. In addition, he attended the USAF Test Pilot School, class 94A, as a government civilian and was the top engineering graduate and recipient of the SFTE R.L. Jones Award that is presented to the # 1 flight test engineer or navigator of every TPS class. Getting selected to attend TPS as a civilian is a major accomplishment; but going on to become the # 1 graduate is one extraordinary feat! These academic accomplishments alone place him among the top 5% of his peers.

Dave began his professional aerospace career in 1988 as a high AOA Flying Qualities Engineer on the prestigious X-29 forward swept wing research aircraft. The fact that he received this highly coveted assignment speaks volumes about the trust the United States government placed in this very talented, but also young and inexperienced flight test engineer. He didn’t disappoint! Dave successfully completed the X-29 program and has gone on to excel as a flight test engineer and technical expert on every project he has been assigned to, including many high visibility test and research programs such as the F-16 Block 30 AMRAAM, the F-16 Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring (MATV), F-16 Interim Reconnaissance Program, the F-16 Digital Terrain System (DTS), the F-16 VISTA Upgrade, JSF Integrated Flight and Propulsion Control Program, and others.

In 2000 Dave was hand-picked as the X-35 Flight Test Team Lead for Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC). In this position, he led the safety of test planning efforts for the X-35 program. He organized, reviewed, and coordinated approval for all safety paperwork for AFFTC and Patuxent River. He helped plan, conduct, and evaluate first flights and envelope expansion of Lockheed Martin's X-35A and X-35C. As a rotating team lead and integrated team member in the X-35 real time mission control room, Dave led a group of engineers responsible for X-35 flying qualities safety of flight. For his efforts on this highest visibility program, Dave was awarded with the prestigious Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award!

In 2001, Dave was hand-picked by the USAF Test Pilot School Commandant (Col Steve Cameron) to become the school’s first-ever civilian Master Instructor for flying qualities. In this position, Dave was responsible for the academic content and rigor of all flying qualities courses at TPS and was the leader of the school’s largest student training branch, managing a $6M budget and overseeing 20 instructors accomplishing 300 hours of graduate level academic instruction and 2000 flight hours of in-flight instruction per year. As a Flying Qualities Master Instructor, Dave’s prestigious technical skills were effectively imparted on hundreds of TPS students – the future flight testers (experimental test pilots, navigators, and flight test engineers) for the 21st Century! He was a highly decorated instructor, voted as the Top Instructor of the Year by 5 different TPS classes (01B, 03A, 04A, 05A, and 05B). In addition, he received the Southern California Engineer’s Council Individual and Project Achievement Awards and the 2006 Scientist/Engineer of the year Award for the AFFTC, among others!

In 2008 Dave left TPS for what was to be a short hiatus to get some staff officer leadership experience as the Flight Chief of the 773rd Flight Test Squadron. Next, he competed fo,r and was selected, to become the 2nd-ever civilian Technical Director for the USAF Test Pilot School- a job he excels at today and is more than ideally qualified for! In this position he serves as the senior flight test educational and technology policy advisor to the commandant. His triple-hatted responsibilities include Chief Technical Authority (Chief Engineer), Chief Academic Officer, and Senior Civilian. He flawlessly executes $28M+ annual training budget and a 4,500 annual flying hour program, graduating up to 48 students annually. He is also the Chief Architect of TPS roadmap for the future.

In my 35+ years in the aerospace industry, and having been intimately involved with flight test since 1984, I can honestly say that Dave ranks #1 among the hundreds of FTEs and TPS graduates I have personally know! There is no flight test challenge that he has not been able to conquer. There has been no program management issue he has not been able to overcome. Additionally, Dave is well respected throughout the Air Force, the DOD, and by industry, as a true flight test technical expert and leader! Bottom Line: He is simply the BEST!

Dave is a senior member of SFTE and is a Past President of the Antelope Valley Chapter of SFTE. In addition, he is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor - Gliders and holds Single Engine Land and Sea ratings and has well over 1000 hours in over 40 types of military, civil, and foreign A/C. Dave is an active member in the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Soaring Society of America. He has over 13 technical publications in his portfolio, and he has significantly advanced the body of technical flight test knowledge during his prestigious career.

The Kelly Johnson Award is SFTE’s highest recognition for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Flight Test Engineeringâ. I strongly urge you to select David L. Vanhoy for the 2012 Kelly Johnson Award. His rise to the top of the flight testing profession has been truly meteoric! His addition to the permanent list of Kelly Johnson recipients will only enhance SFTEs status as the most prestigious flight test organization in the world. As a past KJ recipient, I would be extremely proud to see Dave selected for this award. I know that he is highly deserving and well qualified. I know if you study his resume, you will come to the same conclusion I did. Choose him now—you could not make a better selection!