Adventure in the Air: Memoirs of a Flight Test Engineer

A young colonial boy's life experiences in India, prior to that country's independence, are linked with later episodes related to testing aircraft. As a Flight Test Engineer, the author takes the reader on many close encounters, requiring thanks to the Gods. The development of a Nuclear Bomber, a high altitude Spy plane, and an Unmanned aircraft to be used as a target for missile tests, all reflected the urgency inherent during the cold war years. The reader can also accompany the author on research aircraft investigating Vertical Take off and Landing, Swept wings for fighter aircraft and the unique Augmentor wing. Tests on Canada's Short Take Off and Landing aircraft, are some of the insights into aircraft development that the reader will gain. A Raja's palace, riots in the streets, Japanese air raids and a leopard hunt are some of the locations of adventures in India. A cave dwellers home in Lybia, a jungle airstrip in Peru, an interview with Lord Brabizon in Mayfair, desert heat in Arizona and wind chill in Hudson Bay, are just a few of the highlights to be enjoyed. After retirement the author continued testing aircraft as an Aviation Consultant, leading to more adventures. Testing his inventions also kept development juices flowing. By writing this book, the author intends for all those who once gazed up in wonder of aircraft flying above, to gather some of the excitement of the world of aviation. This book conveys the effort and provides some understanding of the testing that makes aircraft safe.