Update 15 March, 2020:
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 global health crisis, the Missouri Aviation Historical Society has temporary suspended all meetings and events until further notice to comply with regional guidelines and ensure the health and safety of all attendees. The society hopes to reschedule the below event for a latter date in 2020.
The Missouri Aviation Historical Society is back, and kicking off the new year with a special presentation by Boeing’s chief T-7A Redhawk pilot, Steve “BULL” Schmidt. Join us on Sunday, March 29th at 2:00 P.M. to hear about this industry-leading aircraft as it blasts through test points flight by flight. The Boeing T-7A Redhawk, named for the heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen, will begin replacing the Northrop T-38C Talon as the United States Air Force’s premier training platform later this decade. Admission is free and open to all. Complimentary coffee and dessert will be available, but feel free to come early at noon for Creve Coeur Airport’s famous Sunday lunch. View Driving Directions.
More on BULL:
Steve “Bull” Schmidt is the T-7 Chief Pilot for The Boeing Company. He is responsible for the management and execution of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flight test for the T-7 aircraft. As the T-7 Chief Pilot, he provides pilot technical expertise on all matters concerning the T-7 design. He successfully flew the first flight in Dec 2016 and led the program through the initial flight test phase. Additionally he is qualified and supports production and development flight testing for the F-18 and F-15 series aircraft.
As a test pilot at Boeing, Schmidt has been involved in numerous key flight test programs for both the F/A-18 and F-15 aircraft and has flown the F/A-18 Super Hornet in demonstrations at international air shows around the world. Schmidt joined Boeing in 2004 after retiring with 20 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Navy. He began his career with the Navy in January 1984 and after receiving his wings in 1986, served in numerous operational assignments flying the F-14A/B Tomcat. During this time, he became an Airwing Qualified Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and successfully completed the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). In 1992, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and after graduation, served with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4) conducting operational tests involving the F-14 and F/A-18 aircraft. Projects included the AIM-9X missile, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, X-31 thrust vectoring, and several classified programs.
In 2000, Schmidt was assigned to the Defense Contract Management Agency at Boeing in St. Louis responsible for flight acceptance testing on new production aircraft. He has accumulated more than 5,300 flight hours in 34 different aircraft. Schmidt received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in aeronautical and aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiU8ufFaNhg&w=560&h=315]
