Page 18 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2
P. 18

Champions of Flight Recognition Dinner
Honoring SR-71 Test Pilot Bob Gilliland
our Distinguished Flying Cross Society National Convention in Dayton/Fairborn, Ohio from September 18-22, 2019.
Dick recalled his long-time friendship with Bob and noted that Bob was the first test pilot in the SR-71. He then challenged the audience to recall who was the second and reminded us of the significance of being first in any endeavor. Dick himself can be counted as the first person, with Jeana Yeager, to circle the world in nine days without refueling in a solar powered aircraft.
The DFC Society congratulates Bob Gilliland on being the first recipient of the “Champions of Flight” Award.
On 26 October 2018 Dick Rutan, the keynote speaker at our upcoming 2019 DFC National Convention and fellow DFC Society Members National Board Member Warren Eastman, President/CEO Chuck Sweeney, and Inland Empire Chapter President Bill Baltazar, gathered at the first “Champions of Flight” recognition dinner at March Field Air Museum, Riverside, CA to honor Bob Gilliland. Bob was the chief “Skunk Works” test pilot who, in 1964, piloted the first successful flight of the futuristic SR-71 Blackbird. To this day, the SR-71 holds the distinction of being the world’s fastest air-breathing, manned aircraft. Bob Gilliland would go on to log more test flight hours at Mach 3 than any other pilot in the world.
Dick Rutan was the featured speaker honoring Bob Gilliland. Dick Rutan is an aviation pioneer and adventurer. His aviation stories are captivating. We are fortunate to have him as our keynote speaker at
L-R: DFCS Director Warren Eastman, Dick Rutan, DFCS President Chuck Sweeney and DFCS Inland Empire Chapter President
Bill Baltazar.
SR-71 Blackbird Test Pilot Robert J. “Bob” Gilliland honored by Dick Rutan and others at the Champions of Flight recognition dinner at March Field Air Museum, Riverside, California.
18 / DFCS News Magazine / WINTER 2018


































































































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