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Albert Boyd
November 22, 1906(1906-11-22) – September 18, 1976 (aged 69)
Major General Albert Boyd USAF.jpg
Major General Albert Boyd
(USAF Photo)
Nickname Al
Place of birth Rankin, Tennessee
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch Seal of the US Air Force.svg United States Air Force
Years of service 1927 - 1957
Rank US-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Commands held Chief of Flight Section, Wright-Patterson AFB
Commander, Experimental Test Pilot School
Commander, USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB
Commander, Wright Air Development Center
Deputy Commander, Weapons System Headquarters, ARDC
Awards Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Service Medal

Albert Boyd was a pioneering test pilot for the United States Air Force. During his 30 year career, he logged over 23,000 hours of flight time, flying an astounding 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, the USAF did not acquire a single type of aircraft that Boyd had not personally and flown and approved. When he retired, he was known 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:

Awards

References

Persondata
NAME Boyd, Albert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION American aviator and Air Force general
DATE OF BIRTH November 22, 1906
PLACE OF BIRTH Rankin, Tennessee
DATE OF DEATH September 18, 1976
PLACE OF DEATH