History

Early Historical Timeline

1968

  • October 7, 1968: Seattle Boeing FTEs aim to establish a society
  • October 24, 1968: First SFTE weekly meeting.
  • October 29, 1968: First Publicity Committee Meeting
  • November 13, 1968: Board sets paperwork deadlines
  • November 27, 1968: Initial draft of Constitution and Bylaws
  • December 4, 1968: Nominating and Elections Procedures, Formation of Chartered Chapters
  • December 11, 1968: Constitution December 18, 1968: Bylaws
  • December 26, 1968: Secretary of State approves the Articles of Incorporation.

1969

  • February 5, 1969: First report of Members: 7 applicants received at this point
  • April 9-10, 1969: Flight Test Management Technical Meeting hosted by SFTE
  • May 1969: Final Constitution Acceptance
  • May 1969: First National Election
  • June 1969: Final Bylaws Acceptance
  • June 4, 1969: Induction of additional chapter (Antelope Valley) Switched to holding monthly meetings
  • September 3, 1969: Non-Profit Status approval was announced to the Board of Directors.
  • October 1969- May 1970: Six Chapters created, each holding monthly dinner meetings with either local or visiting speakers or flight test films.
  • October 3, 1969: Antelope Valley Chapter established
  • November 5, 1969: Long Island Chapter established

1970

  • February 2, 1970: North Texas Chapter established
  • April 1, 1970: Patuxent River Chapter established
  • May 6, 1970: Los Angeles Chapter and Wichita Chapter established
  • October 5-7, 1970: First Annual Business Meeting Held in conjunction with Long Island Chapter‘s Technical Meeting Computer Aided Flight Testing in the 1970s; 2 Journal issues published; monthly newsletter now implemented; 457 total members; 404 Members, 38 Associates, 15 Affiliates

1972

  • October 3, 1972: Second Annual Business Meeting; First National Board of Directors Meeting Elections for a National Board of Directors Board composed of AV and LA Chapter Members; Mailing address becomes associated with Lancaster, CA

1973

  • August 20, 1973: Society Award Program – Award to be presented annually to a member who excelled in his particular flight test field. Kelly Johnson received the award, and the award was then named in his honor.

John Whitworth

Being there - In the Beginning (PDF)