Boeing Test Pilots
My journey in engineering writing has encompassed a wide range of technical writing and science journalism work, all fulfilling, but the most satisfying were the years spent in development of propulsion design documents with engineers for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Working with design engineers on the 787 and 777X propulsion programs provided a connection between what could be tedious and exacting writing with state-of-the-art aircraft. It was exhilarating to walk through a factory building of nearly 100 acres in area–and at times through the aircraft in work—to see airplanes being built and moving along the assembly line. I was one of many contributing to a hands-on experience that ultimately resulted in the production of thousands of commercial airplanes used by airlines all over the world.
During this time, I was on the board of Boeing Women in Leadership and helped organize a lunchtime presentation by Heather Ross, a United States Air Force officer and a former United Airlines pilot, who became a Boeing test pilot. In a standing room only meeting space with 75 more employees online, she held the audience spellbound as she talked about her work and the ambitious, circuitous path she took to reach her goal of becoming a Boeing test pilot. People couldn’t hear enough. The unfolding saga of her ultimate goal was captivating, and provided a thrilling, but all too brief glimpse into the complex life of a test pilot.
Ironically, when I enthusiastically talked with associates later about the test pilots, I found that very few people had heard of them or knew who they were. The realization that the test pilots were not well-known to Boeing employees, the general public, or to young adults who may be interested in aerospace careers fueled my determination to interview the pilots about their lives and careers for a book. Fortunately, the Boeing Historian felt this potential project was a good idea and eased the coordination of the interviews via the appropriate flight test personnel, for which I express my deepest appreciation.
