Phil Oestricher

Philip F. Oestricher (1931 – December 18, 2015) was an American aerodynamics engineer and test pilot.[1] He made both the unscheduled first flight of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon on January 20, 1974 and its official first flight on February 2, 1974.[2][3]

Philip F. Oestricher
Born1931
Died (aged 84)
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps

Career

Oestricher worked at Consolidated Vultee as an aerodynamics engineer on the B-36 bomber. He later served in the United States Marine Corps, where he flew the F4D Skyray. As a test pilot, Oestricher flew all models of the F-111 fighter-bomber.[1]

On January 20, 1974, Oestricher piloted the unscheduled first flight of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon at Edwards Air Force Base, California. While performing high-speed ground tests, Oestricher nearly lost control of the aircraft when it entered a series of roll oscillations. Oestricher elected to take the craft airborne to avoid crashing and remained in flight for six minutes. Oestricher also piloted the F-16's official first flight on February 2, 1974.[2][3] He contributed to the development of multiple versions of the F-16 and established F-16 safety protocols.[1]

Death

Oestricher died in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 18, 2015, at the age of 84.[1]

References
  1. "In Memoriam - Philip F. Oestricher, Test Pilot". Code One. Vol. 31, no. 1. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. December 22, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. Stout, Joe (1992). "What A Wonderful Airplane: YF-16 First Flight". Code One. Vol. 7, no. 3. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  3. Mizokami, Kyle (January 23, 2020). "That Time When the F-16 Accidentally Had Its First Flight". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
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