Funded by DARPA, the United States Air Force, and NASA, the X-29 was developed by Grumman, and the two built were flown by NASA and the United States Air Force. The aerodynamic instability of the X-29’s airframe required the use of computerized fly-by-wire control. Composite materials were used to control the aeroelastic divergent twisting experienced by forward-swept wings, and to reduce weight. The aircraft first flew in 1984 and became the first forward-swept wing aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight.
Meet key flight test pilots and engineers who took the aircraft through its paces and get an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the events that shattered the analog world and ushered in the digital age of aviation. Reception begins at 5 pm with the dinner and awards program starting at 6:45 pm.
Honorary Chairman
Ken Szalai
X-29 Program Manager and NASA Dryden Center Director
Eagles & Falcon Awardees
Steve Ishmael, NASA Research Test Pilot
Dana Purifoy, AF Test Pilot
Rogers Smith, NASA Research Test Pilot
Kurt Schroeder, Grumman Chief Test Pilot
Joe Gera, NASA Flight Test Engineer
Dave Van Hoy, AF Flight Test Engineer
The presentation will include Eagle and Falcon Award Recognition, a panel discussion with Q&A, and other awards and scholarship presentations. There will be a silent auction and printed history program.
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Book your group rate for Gathering of the Eagles 2025
at the beautiful Residence Inn Lancaster, downtown on the Boulevard
ABOUT THE GATHERING OF EAGLES EVENT
The Gathering of Eagles is a yearly celebration of the Flight Test Historical Foundation to acknowledge significant achievements in the flight testing of aerospace vehicles. The celebration honors both significant events and individuals that have made these events possible. The Gathering of Eagles is meant to provide an avenue for camaraderie, education, and as a way to memorialize and honor the people who contributed to the historic advancements in aerospace development by these programs. The event is also a fundraiser, providing resources to the Air Force Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base, University scholarships, and a variety of STEM education programs.
Since 1983, the Flight Test Historical Foundation has been honoring luminaries in the aerospace world at events and award dinners. In 1996, the FTHF awarded the first Eagle Awards to Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, Bob Cardenas, De Beeler, and crew chief Jack Russell on the 50th Anniversary of the Bell X-1 breaking the sound barrier. In 1999, Pete Knight, Scott Crossfield, Joe Engle, Bill Dana, Fitz Fulton were honored with Eagles at the event celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the X-15 test program. Every year thereafter, the Foundation has awarded members of teams engaged in significant milestones in flight test and aerospace advancement conducted in the Aerospace Valley.
First Flight Wall at the Flight Test Museum. Photo Credit @Jim Krantz Photography
