 proud lay we hail New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with a cast of outstanding players public service time has been made available by the station to bring you this story as proudly we hail the United States Air Force our presentation is entitled assignment in tomorrow Air Force test pilots the men who fly tomorrow's aircraft are both born and made in a moment you'll hear a little bit of the latter process our first day curtain will rise in just a moment the first the airmen in today's United States Air Force are really going places they're advancing rapidly in new specialized careers they're attending the world's best technical training schools and they're serving in interesting assignments at home and abroad and now you too can become a member of this elite organization and proudly wear the Air Force blue you'll be joining freedom's best defense team and you'll have the satisfaction of serving yourself and your country at the same time so find out how you can qualify as an airman visit your nearest United States Air Force recruiting station and talk it over with the friendly people there you'll be amazed at the hundreds of career opportunities open to you Air Force blue is a sign of the finest it marks you as an important member of America's greatest flying organization performing vital work keeping America's planes in the air as an airman you are a key man skilled in one of four hundred jobs necessary to keep our Air Force the strongest in the world so ensure two futures your countries and your own as an airman see your local Air Force recruiter at your nearest Air Force base or your nearest Air Force recruiting office right away and now your United States Air Force presents the proudly we hail production assignment in tomorrow early morning hours high above the Mojave desert a pilot pulls back on the controls of a World War two B-25 putting the light bomber into a steep turn motion camera located behind him records the aircraft instrument reading what he brings the plane to an accelerated stop this is not the first time he or other pilots he's been a required operation to select pilots for the past ten years these pilots are the students attending the United States Air Force's experimental flight test pilot school but we're getting ahead of the story let's look back a little this is Air Force 5533 ready to roll that was Lieutenant Frank Gresham taking off just then taking off from a dusty little airstrip somewhere in Korea Frank's a pretty hot pilot he has a distinguished flying cross and an air medal with four oak leaf cluster but you think that's hard you ought to meet Major Steve McCoy right now he's in Germany but no when I was on that first grade I came in single hand and see on those three message mitts and after I racked up the first one I climbed up to 20,000 well that was Steve a real hot pilot real good at everything in fact and you know what they say it's all right if I talked a little too much but if he can deliver to they're the worst and then there's Dan that's Captain Daniel Wattner he's currently stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama let's see this seems to be the base hospital is it all right just wonderful Captain Wagner you have a bouncing baby boy and Mrs. Wagner is fine you can go in in the middle thank heaven she's all right there they are scattered over the globe but in a few weeks they're gonna be very important to each other but they are three of the men who have applied and been accepted for training as test pilots they are three out of the 15 assigned to the next class the other 12 are officers just like these they've had a minimum of 1500 hours of diversified flying time the equivalent of at least two years college training and engineering subject their papers are processed their orders are cut they begin arriving from the far flung bases of the Air Force during the first three months of training the student pilots fly performance evaluations on aircraft such as the T 28 T 33 and B 25 they do this exactly as though these aircraft had never been tested before looking the data and translating their finding figures which can then of course be checked against the known flight characteristics of each plane although each student is an experienced pilot before entering the school the maneuvers he is learning are seldom encountered in normal flying but let's look in on a morning what's on the program for this morning as soon as we get clear and set off toward Lancaster till we find some food there Roger round hog over six round hog over six you're clear for takeoff over six the ground hog each instructor rates each man in the class and each day a different instructor flies with a different student social activities during force are limited by the students own inclination almost exclusively to the two hour weekly physical training period the only portion of the curriculum which can be referred to as a formation this can be a round of golf and Lancaster but it's generally spent in the swimming pool by the officers club where the wives may join in and where textbooks are off limit everybody got that equation okay that does it seems like it's Wednesday afternoon so see you at the pool in 15 minutes I don't know Dan this calculus got me beat my head so full of figures I even dream about it all straight now you know one of these mornings are gonna wake up and all of a sudden everything will be as clear as a bell yeah that's where it is all of a sudden isn't it Steve I don't know of course it's all very elementary for me if I didn't have any education like some of these guys I don't know how it would be you know a very little effort I could dislike that guy you know how it is the papers have made a lot of fuss over him and everywhere he goes people are impressed by meeting the famous Major McCoy I honestly don't think he knows how he sounds to it yeah I heard him at the club the other night sounding off to a couple of nurses about Korea all right all right take it easy yeah okay I guess I got carried away performance phase is almost complete everything seems to jumble to get it production assignment in tomorrow will return in just a moment for the second act trim is an arrow and faster than sound that's how the new high flying jets of today's United States Air Force measure up they soar through the skies around the clock constantly on the alert protecting America's frontiers and then you can help keep them there and build yourself a highly rewarding career at the same time how that simple by becoming an airman today's airmen are attending the world's finest air technical training school they're learning such fascinating skills as radar air traffic control air intelligent just to name a few today's airmen are developing new leadership qualities gaining new prestige serving as American ambassadors of goodwill in colorful assignments all over the world they're stepping out smartly in the trim blue uniform a uniform that marks them as a member of freedoms greatest defense team and they're gaining rapid advancement in careers that are second to none find out how you can qualify as an airman remember man when you join the Air Force you join an organization of technicians and specialists and as an airman you're a key man on the Air Force team a skilled ground technician helping to keep America's planes in the air expertly trained in any of 400 jobs from radio to photography mechanics to administration serve as a leader in Air Force blue as part of America's top military organization to get all the facts see your local Air Force recruiter soon you are listening to proudly we hail and now we present the second act of assignment in tomorrow performance phase the grades are evaluated 70% is needed for passing this is the second evaluation the first takes place at the end of the first six weeks of class up to now there have been no washouts but the three month period to come is the most critical one fine for child don't you answer when a guy not what's the matter fella I didn't know it was you Frank what's the matter bad news from home no no it's not that I'm washed out what it can't be why come on in how do you know who told you Joe Morelli called me in this afternoon gee down I don't know what to say I know what it means to you like it does to me yeah yeah that's just the trouble so he was swell about it said he asked to tell me so he could explain and all that stuff well what did he explain with your background and everything I just don't saw it was the flying Frank you know I'm the first one to admit I'm no Yeager or Murray I've got the hours okay but you know yourself about 80% of them are in goonie bird yeah but I still say what about the rest of the picture that's what he wanted to explain about how they try to rate the pilot you know what they told us back at the beginning they get guys who are hot pilots with no engineering and they get engineers who can't fly so well and once in a while they get a combination like McCoy yeah but if they have to choose they'd rather have a guy who has a real feel for flying and who worked hard enough to master the essentials enough so we can understand what the project engineer wants rather than someone like me who's only just well average in the flying then I still don't know what to say don't worry about me Frank because it hit me pretty hard but I'm coming out of it now well did you find out what your assignment will be well I guess that's the thing that saved me sort of they were pretty swell about that I'm staying right here at the flight test center project engineer that's really great that's the best assignment you can have right here well anyway we won't have to discontinue this side coaching I can go right on helping you evening I don't have to do that there you're gonna be busy with your new job I guess you'll be sending to your family well sure but that won't interfere with an extra hour or so at night for study you know Frank you've got what it takes in the flying end of it and I'm gonna see you get the other two if it kills me yeah course continues all types of maneuvers are practiced over and over steep rate of climb takeoff snows up altitude landings and minimum distance landing sometimes long hours of extremely high altitude they're accomplished in several different types of aircraft in order to prepare pilots for testing anything from helicopters and small liaison planes the heavy jet bombers added to all this there's the stiff academic schedule which includes courses that are as difficult as they sound as for example and properties of the atmosphere performance aerodynamics theoretical aerodynamics slide rule and calculator operations conventional engine performance both theoretical and practical then there's physics thermodynamics calculus jet engine performance supersonic aerodynamics weight and balance and stability flight test methods the time seems all too short to the officers in the class the course is nearing its end however how about this computation here Dan now tomorrow night you've had it and you've got the usual six o'clock wheels up in the morning I guess you're right but I get carried away when the thing begins to come clear to me I hate the style and yeah but you can't do it all in one night no I know it's well of you to keep on helping me this way didn't your wife mind going to the dance with the garden that saves us getting a sitter listen seriously if we get me through this school I'm going to take the two of you down to Los Angeles we'll have a whole weekend all on me to celebrate that suits me about the celebration that is but it's not going to be on you well I will cross that when we come to you know I never asked you how you like your new job oh I like it fine next to doing what you're going to be doing in a few weeks it's the best assignment in the Air Force and pretty soon we'll be out working together again huh you know better than that Dan there are only a few vacancies at the test center here and all 14 of us out to get them well some of them are going to get assigned here you might as well be one of them that's what you'd better shoot for yeah they're sure the plus jobs are right mm-hmm yeah material commands looking for acceptance pilots are here for assignments in aircraft factory well there are plenty of interesting jobs outside the test center I know that they're proving ground command one of them operational suitability testing mm-hmm and maintenance testing and tactical units where they're introducing new production aircraft yeah I bet McCoy will get a job here at Edwards Wow don't get all excited when I say this but you got to admit it's good sure sure sure he can fire plane swim like a fish play the piano like Liberace for all I know he can play ping-pong and shoot holes in one it will you're prejudiced you don't have to listen to them every day like I do you know something guys like that usually have an inferiority complex inferiority complex that guy never have never mind McCoy just after that job I'm not quitting for the closing gun that's the stuff well I better buzz along like you say I've got to get some shut I okay take it easy then see tomorrow night in addition to classroom study and flying other features have been included in the list of activities for the test pilot trainees during the last few weeks of the six month course they visit the aircraft industries within the Los Angeles area and confer with their aeronautical and design engineers they tour the NACA's Ames aeronautical laboratory at Moffitt field near San Francisco they check out in the ejection seat on the specially constructed stand of Williams Air Force Base Arizona and in the high altitude chain the latter phases are a must on the list the pilot fails to withstand either of the checkouts he is automatically relieved from the school their physical endurance during the checkouts is closely observed since they must maintain a high standard of physical fitness for their duty as test pilots well what do you know Frank when did you get back from Arizona good to see you boy I just got in this minute I thought I'd stop by here before I went to the B.O.Q. sit down William waiting for soon we're dining out tonight the Gordon for sitting oh I am bush well how was it great just great I came through okay so I guess it's wonderful when's graduation next week you're going to be able to make it aren't you that is if I'm included what do you mean man make it I hear they're calling you their star pupil I wouldn't miss it for world well you know I feel like they ought to make the thing up you know the diploma or certificate for both of us instead of just me I couldn't have done it without you listen Frank the way you work you'd have made it I just gave you a kick in the pants from time to time that's all well I'll never be able to thank you enough don't try just see that you get that job here I need a good hot pilot on a job that's coming up you better talk to my car oh speaking of the devil hey Dan Wagner you're still around here I am you must like this joint what are you doing oh I'm assigned to the flight test center project engineer oh yeah well that ground stuff is okay for some people but personally you can have it I've got it yeah well see around sometime I figure to be here too for a while you see what I mean oh come on layoff and Frankie's okay different things affect different people in different ways you know he's just whistling in the dark you'll see he's as unsure of the job as you are sure sure endless examples can be given of the types of aircraft tested by graduates of the school the rocket propelled x1a the tail is x4 the adjustable winged x5 and the Delta winged xf92a other aircraft include the xb51 the yb60 xb52 b47 f100 f86 f84 and f102 many of the graduates of the school within the past few years have become well known for their contributions to aviation major Chuck Yeager pilot of the Bell x1a it was credited with being the first human to exceed the speed of sound the tenant Colonel Frank Everest is chief of the flight test operations laboratory at Edward Colonel Fred J. Eskani is the holder of the world's closed-course speed record the tenant Colonel Russell Schlay is the holder of the existing cross-country record the tenant Colonel Richard L. Johnson and Captain J. Slade Nash are the past and present holders of the world's official speed record and Major Arthur Murray is the holder of the unofficial altitude record the men who graduate today stand in line to be the future contenders for the mark set by their predecessor and so it gives me great pleasure to add your names to the roster of graduates your assignment orders are in my office but before you go to pick them up I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you for your achievements your fine attitude and your efforts it's been mighty pleasant having you with us now we well here we like to say to each of you your assignment is in tomorrow well I guess that's it come on boy you're gonna pick up those orders before the suspense kills me yeah that's right it's an aggression looking for your order sir yes sergeant and you got them yes sir just a moment please and see McCoy standing out there at the end of the hole mm-hmm you know what he was doing don't you I'm just standing mm-hmm he was getting up enough nerve to come in that's what he was doing what like me Dan if you weren't alone it would be about four o'clock this afternoon before I would have come in and what's the matter don't think he's human or something not exactly at least not up to now you know I think you're right about him I feel like sort of a heel it's just he does everything so easy yeah I suppose so and well we've been under terrific pressure the last six months okay Frank okay you can get off the hook yeah sir how many copies you think you'll be needing you better make it about 25 I guess I'll need some for baggage some for transportation sections so excuse me sir but you'd better read these orders I don't think you've been eating quite that many they don't call for any travel at all they're just reassigning you right here sir to the flight test Senate no kidding let me see that there's a copy sir six ought to be enough have them for you in the morning Lieutenant Frank Gresham don't sound so I'm sorry I signed Air Force Flight Test Center Edwards Air Force Base Stan did you hear that I heard right here black and white hey boy you've got more intestinal fortitude than I have I was afraid for a minute to look at him Edwards yeah that's great graduation okay Sergeant give me the bad news yes you are made him coin Edwards yeah well gentlemen now that celebrations are in order how about coming over to the house with me I think Sue would be willing to rustle up something for it oh I like that fine you know I'm a little surprised surprised yeah I got the idea somehow that you didn't like me much well it was a wrong one wasn't a Frank sure was come on let's go young man get into the blue the Air Force blue and you'll be getting yourself a skilled career that is second to none you now have an excellent opportunity to qualify at the nearman and serve in colorful assignments at home and abroad you see today's Air Force is expanding rapidly and this means that there are literally hundreds of openings for qualified young men to train in air technical school and become highly skilled specialist as an airman a whole new world of adventure and prestige will be open for you you'll meet new friends and learn qualities of leadership that will serve to your advantage wherever you go yes now is the time to get into the blue the Air Force blue get ready get set and get know how yes if you want to be ready for the future trained now as an airman you'll get the world's finest technical training in any of more than 400 skills from jet mechanics to atomic weapons every airman is a key man skilled in a job on which the Air Force depends so if you want to be ready for a truly important future see your local Air Force recruiter soon this has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with this station proudly we hail is produced by the recruiting publicity center in New York for the United States Air Force and this is Mark Hamilton speaking inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we have