by David P.
I was one of the experimental test pilots who helped
develop the F-16. I was very fortunate to have accumulated the requisite test
flying background (from the United States Navy) at precisely the time (1977)
that General Dynamics was in search of a few new test pilots. This was at the
start of the airplane's full-scale development.
Another Naval Academy classmate of mine, Jim McKinney,
also joined the company within a month of my arrival. Phil Oestricher, Neil
Anderson and Dave Thigpen were the "old hands" at the time we
arrived. The vast majority of the experimental and developmental work was
accomplished within a Combined Test Force (United States Air Force and General Dynamics)
at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert. It was the opportunity of a
lifetime to fly such a wonderful fighting machine. I have so many great
memories. Later on, Jim and I both had the opportunity to demonstrate the F-16
worldwide at various airshows, including Paris and Farnborough. All great, good
fun to show the world the "greatest fighter flying!"
