FAA SUPPORT

I flew as chase pilot for FAA certification of the Windecker Eagle with a H-43B! In December 1967, a H-43B (1559) and a crew (P, CP, FM, & 2 FF's) from Det 18 , WARRC, Webb AFB was detached and assigned on TDY to the Windecker Corporation at Midland-Odessa Continental Airport for three days. Upon arrival we were briefed by Dr. Windecker that our mission was to fly chase the next day with our FSK and full bunkered crew in case of a crash! We did that for two days without incident. But there were some interesting side things going on! The Windecker Eagle was a two seat light commercial aircraft, manufactured completely out of fiberglass and composite materials! The only metal being the engine, firewall and landing gear! A lot of USAF officers, including a Lt General, were attending along with the FAA Certification Group! When I asked about the USAF interest, I was told they were interested in the material for radomes, etc. The other thing was we were flying along a pre-planned path and monitored by a radar site in the area. With the H-43 being a lot of fiberglass and wooden blades, I believe to this day, they were running comparison radar tests on it and us for research into Stealth technology! I was the Pilot; Dennis Olson, CP; Carlos Joiner, FM, and I don't remember the Firefighters! (JOE BALLINGER)
JOE BALLINGER IN PHOTO