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Tom McMurtry honored with FAA Master Pilot Award

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Richard Dilbeck (left), coordinator of the Master Pilot award presentations for the Federal Aviation Administration's Sacramento regional office, presents the award to retired NASA Armstrong research pilot Tom McMurtry as McMurtry's wife Mary Louise assists. (Credit: NASA / Jim Ross)
Richard Dilbeck (left), coordinator of the Master Pilot award presentations for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Sacramento regional office, presents the award to retired NASA Armstrong research pilot Tom McMurtry as McMurtry’s wife Mary Louise assists. (Credit: NASA / Jim Ross)

PALMDALE – Retired NASA Armstrong research pilot Thomas C. McMurtry was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration Oct. 25 with the presentation of the agency’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award during a ceremony before family, friends and associates at the AERO Institute in Palmdale.

Richard Dilbeck, coordinator of the Master Pilot award presentations for the FAA’s Sacramento regional office, presented the prestigious award to McMurtry as his wife, Mary Louise McMurtry and an estimated 120 attendees applauded the honoree.

McMurtry, whose activity is severely limited following a debilitating stroke, was also presented with resolutions and certificates honoring his service to NASA and the nation from several public officials, including California state senator Steve Knight of the 21st district, Los Angeles County fifth district supervisor Michael Antonovich and U.S. Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon of California’s 25th district.

Shortly before his retirement in June 1999, Tom McMurtry heads out for a final flight in one of NASA Armstrong's workhorse F/A-18 mission support aircraft. (NASA / Tom Tschida)
Shortly before his retirement in June 1999, Tom McMurtry heads out for a final flight in one of NASA Armstrong’s workhorse F/A-18 mission support aircraft. (NASA / Tom Tschida)

Now 79, McMurtry joined the NASA Flight Research Center in 1967 after service as a U.S. Navy pilot and with Lockheed Corporation.

He was a project pilot on some of the most significant flight research projects in the center’s history during his 32-year tenure, including the AD-1 oblique wing program, the F-15 Digital Electronic Engine Control project, the KC-135 winglets and the F-8 Supercritical Wing program for which he received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal.

He also served as co-project pilot on a number of other flight research projects, including the F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire program and the X-24B lifting body, and also flew the modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft when it ferried space shuttles across the country.

cMurtry is pictured with the X-24B lifting body after he made the 36th and final flight in the unique craft on Nov. 26, 1975. (NASA)
McMurtry is pictured with the X-24B lifting body after he made the 36th and final flight in the unique craft on Nov. 26, 1975.
(NASA)

McMurtry also served the center as chief of the Flight Crew Branch, Director for Flight Operations and Associate Director for Operations and Acting Chief Engineer prior to his retirement in June 1999.

McMurtry counts time in the triple-sonic YF-12C, the U-2 and F-104 aircraft in his more than 15,000 hours of flight time throughout his lengthy career, including 4,000 hours recorded while flying for two private aviation firms for 12 years after his retirement from NASA. He was honored by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots with its Iven Kincheloe Award for his work on the AD-1 program in 1982, was enshrined in the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, California in 1998, and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 1999 prior to his retirement from NASA.

More information on Tom McMurtry’s life and career is available here.

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Filed Under: Palmdale

7 comments for "Tom McMurtry honored with FAA Master Pilot Award"

  1. What a great man with a amazing story. And a beautiful wife by his side!
    We were blessed when our niece Bernadette married your son Dave and gave us the privledge and getting to know you both. Congratulations on the recognitions of your successful career.

  2. Very impressive career, and a well-deserved award. He coached my brother’s little league team at Park View, and his son played on the team. I have some pictures of a pool party where the youngest brother was just a little guy (I’m thinking that this goes back…maybe 35 years!!)! Really a wonderful family and truly one of the greats among the men that helped make history in the Antelope Valley.

  3. Not only is he a courageous and brave pilot, but he is also a wonderful father and family man. He and Mary Louise raised a great group of kids. I am very glad to have met them all. God bless Tom and Mary Louise!

  4. Godspeed, Mr. McMurtry! The Antelope Valley may not be what it used to be but there are still some of us who are huge fans of guys like you. Some guys have followed sports and the careers of their favorite players but growing up I followed you and your comrades in the exciting world of the test pilot. I feel lucky to have grown up here in the shadow of the most radical designs in aviation history and the bravest pilots on the planet.

  5. While doing heroics in the air and on the edge of space, Mr. McMurtry was my AYSO soccer coach. I didn’t know about his job at that time; Good thing too because I would have bugged him to take me to Florida via the SCA/shuttle.
    Go Hawks!

  7. God Bless you Thomas McMurtry. My Father was a test pilot, and now he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, on a hill. I have beautiful memories of the time I spent with him.