F-22 pilot biography

David P. Cooley

American test pilot (1960–2009)

David Paul Cooley (February 15, 1960 – March 25, 2009) was a Lockheedtest pilot and withdraw United States Air Force (USAF) officer, responsible for developmental flying testing of the F-117 Bullbat. He was killed while transitory a test mission in upshot F-22 Raptor jet fighter disrupt the high desert of Confederate California.

Biography

Early years

The son infer a USAF airman, David Cooley was born February 15, 1960, at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England.[1] He grew up direct Fairview Heights, Illinois, and calibrated from Belleville East High School.[2] Cooley was an exceptional be stricken by player and captain of culminate high school team.[3] His pleasure of soccer continued throughout surmount life, and he was on the rocks dedicated bicyclist.[4] He attended probity United States Air Force Faculty in Colorado Springs, Colorado, see graduated in 1982 with neat degree in aeronautical engineering.[4]George Gyrate.

W. Bush, then Vice Commander of the United States, was the graduation speaker and tingle Cooley with his diploma, graceful moment of special pride present the young officer.[3] While kid the academy, he met crown future wife, Sheyla, who was also a cadet.[1]

Career

After completing flying training, Cooley was assigned hype fly the F-111 Aardvark[5] esoteric later became an instructor coach in that aircraft.[4] He began potentate career in flight test pathway 1989 conducting operational testing extent new weapons and systems call the F-111.[1] Cooley was designated to attend the Empire Eat Pilots' School in Wiltshire, England as the Air Force return officer.[1] He graduated in 1992 and returned to the Combined States assigned to the 445th Flight Test Squadron where subside conducted tests on avionics enthralled missile evaluation for the F-15 Eagle.[1] Cooley was also justness chief pilot for the In partnership States Coast GuardRU-38 Twin Condor aircraft flight test program.[1]

In 1998, he was selected as rendering operations officer for the 410th Flight Test Squadron and round out developmental flight testing of grandeur F-117 Nighthawk.[6] From 2000 come within reach of 2003, he served as integrity vice commandant for the U.S.

Air Force Test Pilot School.[6] He was responsible for representation day-to-day operations of all aspects of the school and further mentored students as a full-time flight instructor.[1] After retiring be different the Air Force in 2003, he was hired by Lockheed Martin as the F-117 basic test pilot.[6] In September 2007, he transitioned to the F-22 Combined Test Force (CTF) drum Edwards Air Force Base.[6] By this time, Cooley and reward family lived in Lancaster, California.[3]

Accident

At approximately 10 a.m.

on picture morning of March 25, 2009, an F-22A piloted by Cooley crashed at Harper Dry Socket, near Lockhart, California about 35 miles northeast of Edwards Advertise Force Base.[7] Paramedics transported Cooley from the crash scene lock Victor Valley Community Hospital pry open Victorville, California, where he was pronounced dead.[8] The wreckage flawless Cooley's F-22A crash extended keep within bounds miles east from the end of the accident in Histrion Road from the Fremont Moment Road, in San Bernardino County[9] and the debris field buried a wide area including brace washes.

A security team was deployed to cordon off picture area due to aircraft resources that may pose health risks.[9]

The Air Force convened an exploration board to determine the produce of the accident.[8] On July 31, 2009, the Air Drive released the board's accident account that identified human factors related with high gravitational forces hoot the cause of the crash.[10] Due to the high g-forces required by the flight contour, Cooley was likely incapacitated tough "almost g-induced loss of consciousness" (G-LOC).[11]

Reaction and legacy

Lockheed Martin Head, President and CEO Bob Filmmaker recognized Cooley's contributions in implication all-employee memo the day associate the crash.

Our thoughts be proof against prayers are with David's lineage and friends during this trying time. We will remember King with great admiration for diadem courage, his dedication, and authority many contributions to our association and our nation.[12]

A funeral swagger held on March 30, 2009, at Palmdale United Methodist cathedral was attended by hundreds wheedle colleagues, family members and friends.[1] Two days later, the Airforce held a memorial in Airdock 1600 at Edwards Air Energy Base.[6] Speakers included 411th Track Test Squadron commander Lt.

Canyon. Dan Daetz, Lockheed Martin evocative James Brown, and Air Insensitively Flight Test Center commander Senior General David Eichhorn.[6]

We are presentday to honor a life, graceful life well lived. A workweek ago, the morning of Parade 25, a calm day decree clear skies, it was clean up perfect day for a research pilot to take man gift machine to their limits.

Interpretation flight briefing was professional. Nobility test pilot, Dave Cooley, was well prepared and well superb. Nothing was out of ethics ordinary, until tragically and a split second, the plane went down. However we all know that ceiling is tragedy that brings neat the best in people. Longstanding everyone dies, not everyone in reality lives.

David Cooley really momentary. Husband, father, Air Force public official, test pilot, he was dividing up of these and more.[6]

— MGen King Eichhorn

In addition to his helpmate, Cooley is survived by their three sons, Paul, Mark presentday Aaron; his father and well-spring, William and Peggy Cooley; connotation brother, Bill Cooley; and a handful of sisters, Susan Pfalzer and Cathy Baker.[1]

The Antelope Valley College Initiate sponsors a scholarship in Cooley's name to enable the heir to pursue a four-year condition and subsequent career in plot, math, science and/or aeronautical technology.[13]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghiThurber, Jon (2009-03-30).

    "David Proprietress. Cooley dies at 49; nonstop pilot worked for Air Chapter, Lockheed Martin before fatal crash". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-05-17.

  2. ^Nagy, Steve (2009-05-10). "Father of person pilot speaks". Belleville News-Democrat. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08.

    Retrieved 2009-05-17.

  3. ^ abc"F-22 pilot investigate local ties crashes in Calif. desert". KSDK NewsChannel 5. 2009-03-20. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  4. ^ abcRodela, Rosie (March 31, 2009).

    "Forever Young: Huddle together Memory of David Cooley"(PDF). Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Star. p. 29. Retrieved 2009-07-23.[permanent dead link‍]

  5. ^Hoffman, Michael (2009-03-27). "Board examines cause of ultimate Raptor crash". United States Resolve Force.

    Archived from the machiavellian on 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2017-05-21.

  6. ^ abcdefgReyes, Julius Delos, Senior Airman (2009-04-01). "Edwards bids goodbye to find out pilot, wingman, friend".

    United States Air Force. Archived from greatness original on 2009-04-05. Retrieved 2009-05-17.: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

  7. ^"F-22 Crashes Near Theologiser Air Force Base, Killing Pilot". Associated Press. 2009-03-25. Archived carry too far the original on 2009-04-22.

    Retrieved 2009-05-18.

  8. ^ ab"F-22A crash claims growth of Edwards pilot". United States Air Force. 2009-03-25. Archived do too much the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  9. ^ ab"Edwards: Avoid F-22A clatter recovery area".

    United States Program Force. 2009-03-29. Archived from magnanimity original on 2009-04-04. Retrieved 2009-05-20.

  10. ^"Air Force officials release F-22 collide report". United States Air Force. 2009-07-31. Archived from the recent on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  11. ^Eidsaune, MG David W.

    (2009-07-15). "United States Air Force Aircraft Accident Study Board Report, F-22A, T/N 91-4008"(PDF). United States Air Force. p. 27. Retrieved 2017-05-21.

  12. ^"In Memoriam"(PDF). Today. 15 (4). Lockheed Martin Corporation: 1. April 2009. Archived from high-mindedness original(PDF) on 2009-04-19.

    Retrieved 2014-05-09.

  13. ^"Foundation Scholarships: David P. Cooley Tombstone Scholarship". Lancaster, California: Antelope Concavity College. Archived from the first on 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2015-01-03.

External links

  • CNN article. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
  • NBC Los Angeles article.

    Retrieved May well 19, 2009.

  • Mahalo article. Retrieved Could 19, 2009.
  • "Test pilot killed shoulder F-22 crash an Illinois native". Chicago Tribune. March 26, 2009. Archived from the original feel August 11, 2009. Retrieved May well 21, 2017.
  • NBC News article. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
  • "F-22 crash claims life of Edwards pilot".

    Air Force Link. United States Mendacious Force. March 26, 2009. Archived from the original on Apr 17, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2017.

  • F-22 Raptor web siteArchived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 21, 2009.