ART THOMPSON
CHAIRMAN
Art Thompson (Elected to Board 2013) is the Chief Executive Officer for Sage Cheshire, Inc. and the Red Bull Stratos Technical Project Director. Art was Felix Baumgartner’s earliest collaborator, who in 2005 envisioned the Red Bull Stratos’ free-fall from 128,000 feet. Felix’s record free fall took place on October 14, 2012, from a pressurized capsule, breaking the speed of sound (Mach 1.25) and reaching terminal velocity at 843.6 mph.
Art studied engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, and attended the University of La Verne and Northrop University. Art co-founded his own company, Sage Cheshire Aerospace, Inc. to provide a wide range of aerospace needs – from initial design and engineering to a finished product.
Sage Cheshire, Inc. provides engineering, development and fabrication services for the USAF, Northrop Grumman Corp., Lockheed Corp., Gulfstream, Raytheon, Boeing, Scaled Composites, XCOR, Wyle Labs, NASA Dryden, NASA Ames, Percussion Air, and others for programs such as X-37, F-35, missile avoidance tail cones for G-5 aircraft, and medical devices for private space programs.
Art is also the President of A2ZFX, Inc, which provided conceptual, design, and engineering services for creation of unique products. He also worked at Northrop Corporation Advanced Systems Division as manager for RCS R&D LO.
Art is a member of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), National Aeronautical Association (NAA), and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP, corporate member). Art is the recipient of the “2013 Jerome Leder Pioneer Award” from the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS); 2012 Collier Trophy nominee; 2012 Laureate Award nominee; 2013 Excellence in Aviation Award from the Flight Test Historical Foundation; Hall of Fame 2013 nominee; San Diego Air and Space Museum inductee; and is an honorary U.S. Army Golden Knight . Art has also been recognized by both the New Mexico and California Senates for contributions to aerospace and human physiology egress from high altitude, as well as has received a Royal Aeronautical Society 2018 Specialist Award for advancements in Aerospace. Art is a Life Patron of the Flight Test Historical Foundation.
