LANCASTER – The Flight Test Historical Foundation will host its annual Gathering of Eagles on October 12, at the University of the Antelope Valley Grand Ballroom in Lancaster.
Sponsored by JT3, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Harris Corporation, INQU/New Directions Technologies Inc. and Jacobs Technology, this year’s celebration will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Lightweight Fighter competition.
David Hartman, television producer and original host of ABC’s Good Morning America, will be serving as Master of Ceremonies. The event, which benefits the museum, will include dinner, panel discussion led by Col. Robert Ettinger and silent auction.
“The fly-off produced two of the most successful jet fighters of the modern era: the F-16 and the F/A-18. Having Col. Robert Ettinger as our honorary event chairman guarantees a fascinating evening of insider stories,” announced Lisa Gray, Chairwoman of the Foundation Board of Directors.
Revolutionary technologies developed for these aircraft are the norm today, such as afterburning turbofan engines, fly-by-wire controls and glass cockpits.
“It was a rare opportunity to be part of the joint test force,” said Col. Ettinger. “What started out to be an independent evaluation of two advanced technology prototypes turned out to be the start of the most successful aircraft acquisition program in history, spawning more than 4,500 F-16s and 2,500 F/A-18s.”
For 30 years, the Flight Test Historical Foundation has supported the Air Force Flight Test Museum on Edwards Air Force Base with the annual Gathering of Eagles.
The event has hosted a salute to flight test veterans, from X-planes and flying wing bombers all the way to moon missions.
Individual tickets are $100 each and are available at www.edwardsmuseum.com. RSVP by October 5, 2013.
Corporate sponsorships are still available. Contact 661-258-1658 or fthfGOE@gmail.com for additional information.
(Information via press release from the Flight Test Historical Foundation.)
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