Albert Boyd
November 22, 1906
(1906-11-22) – September 18, 1976 (aged 69)
Major General Albert Boyd
(
USAF Photo)
Nickname
Al
Place of birth
Rankin, Tennessee
Allegiance
United States of America
Service/branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1927 - 1957
Rank
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:
- 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
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