Page 5 - Aerotech News and Review, Oct. 18, 2019

EAGLES, from 4
Otto J. 1960. He grew up in Seattle, Wash., graduating from the University of Washington in the air vehicle manager for B-2 number two, the Spirit of Arizona. He was responsible
Otto J. Waniczek was born in Vienna, Austria, and came to the United States in
Following the first few test flights on B-2 number one, Waniczek was selected to be
Waniczek 1979 with a bachelor’s of science in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. He was for all testing and modifications on that aircraft during the flight test program. B-2
commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1976, and assigned to Edwards Air Force Base,
number two made its first flight in October 1990, and was used for flying qualities,
Calif., where he initially worked as a systems test engineer on the B-1A test program, flutter and loads testing. It was the only aircraft without low observables coatings and
and later as a flight test engineer for the 6513th Test Squadron. became the workhorse for the flight test fleet.
Waniczek graduated from California State University with a master’s of science Under his oversight, B-2 number two successfully completed all of its required test-
degree in mechanical engineering, and from the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards, ing in July 1995. He continued working with the B-2 flight test program and later, at
class of 82A. After graduating from TPS, he was reassigned to the B-1B test program the end of Engineering Manufacturing Development, took over from vice president B-2
as a flight test engineer, where he flew as a flight test engineer on B-1A number two flight test to become Northrop Grumman Site Manager for Follow-on Flight Testing
which had been modified with the proposed B-1B flight control system. at Edwards AFB, a position he served in until November 2003.
As the senior Air Force flight test engineer on the B-1 test program, Waniczek was Waniczek was a central force in accomplishing the transition to FOFT to EMD,
selected to fly as the flight test engineer for the first flight of B-1B number one but establishing the relationships that guided the test force since.
was temporarily medically disqualified after ejecting with the crew during the loss of In December 2003, Waniczek matrixed to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 test pro-
B-1A number two on Aug. 29, 1984. Before returning to flight status, he served as test gram, and served as the Lockheed Martin Test Site manager for Edwards during the
conductor for the first flight of B-1B number one. initial setup of the F-35 test program until June 2006.
In August 1985, he was assigned to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, for follow-on During that time, he worked with the Edwards Integrated Test Force leadership to
B-1B flight testing where he continued flying as a flight test engineer, processing data design building layouts and ramp space for future test personnel and F-35 aircraft. After
and writing reports until December 1986. his F-35 experience, he went back to Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Technology
After 10 years in the Air Force, Waniczek left the active duty world and began work- Development Center as the deputy Flight test IPT lead and test site manager doing clas-
ing for Northrop in January 1987 on the B-2 bomber (then known as the Advanced sified work from June 2006 until his retirement from the company in September 2013.
Technology Bomber). He planned and wrote the Envelope Expansion Flight Test Work Upon retiring, he relocated to Las Vegas, Nev., and now enjoys private flying, restor-
Order and generated the initial test cards for all the early tests flights of the B-2 program. ing cars, snow skiing, camping, and just kicking back and relaxing. Otto and Tammy
As first flight of the B-2 approached, he was selected to be the test conductor for first Waniczek have two children; Otto J. Waniczek III, and Tiffany Waniczek-Nowicki.
flight that took place July 17, 1989. Both are now married and living in the greater Los Angeles area.
Honorary Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. Col. Richard “Rick” Couch, retired
Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. is the commander of Air Force Materiel Command,
Rick Couch earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M in
Co-Chairmen headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Bunch was commissioned 1968, a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute
in 1984 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy where he earned a bachelor’s
of Technology in 1974, and a master’s degree in systems management from the
of science degree in civil engineering. He completed undergraduate pilot training in University of Southern Califrnia in 1981.
1985. He completed operational assignments as an instructor, evaluator and aircraft Commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1968, he completed pilot training and
commander for the B-52 Stratofortress. then served operational tours in the C-141 and OV-10A.
Following graduation from the USAF Test Pilot School in 1991, Bunch con- In 1975, he completed the USAF Test Pilot School and was assigned to the
ducted developmental testing in the B-2 Spirit and B-52, and served as an instructor 4950th Test Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In 1978, Crouch returned to
in each. Additionally, he has commanded at the squadron, group, wing, and center Edwards as an instructor at the TPS. After completing the Industrial College of
levels. In 1994, he attained a master of science degree in mechanical engineering the Armed Forces, he returned to Edwards to command the B-2 Combined Test
from California State University Fresno. Force. In 1989, he flew the B-2 first flight.

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