|
Author
|
Topic: Non-CDRs/PLTs on the Shuttle Training Aircraft
|
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 09-04-2015 10:47 AM
   
Out of curiosity, had any NASA mission specialists, or even foreign payload specialists or foreign mission specialists, flown the Shuttle Training Aircraft? Or were the only left seaters commanders and pilots? I'd be thinking that perhaps at least mission specialists Bruce McCandless and Ron Garan flew the STA, since they were pilots yet flew only as mission specialists. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 09-04-2015 11:40 AM
As I recall, in his book Don Thomas teased that he had once piloted the simulator.I'll have to check my copy to confirm and come up with a page number. |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 09-04-2015 01:26 PM
I'm thinking Dave Griggs might have, having flown first as an mission specialist but then scheduled as a pilot on his next flight which, sadly, he did not make. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 09-04-2015 01:52 PM
I also know that various contractors who worked on the plane flew it as well, but that's probably of no interest to anyone here.I know of a guy near me who worked on the STA program and directly on the plane many times and he said he'd flown the orbiter side on a few occasions and said others did, as well. I assume these flights didn't have NASA people in the plane with them at the time these events happened. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 09-04-2015 05:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by p51:
I also know that various contractors who worked on the plane flew it as well, but that's probably of no interest to anyone here.
I'd be interested! I think it would be fascinating to hear the other side of things, especially the unsung heros if you will. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 09-04-2015 06:17 PM
Reason why I'm asking is that I have a few STA manuals, including a gatefold of the cockpit. Like I needed something else to do, but I'm getting it signed by those astronauts who flew left-seat. |
Michael Cassutt
Member Posts: 358
From: Studio City CA USA
Registered: Mar 2005
|
posted 09-04-2015 09:17 PM
Any astronaut who was selected as a pilot during the shuttle era — or so rated — flew the STA at some point. McCandless told me that he did so right up to his assignment as an MS on STS-11/41-B in early 1983. Aside from PLTs, I can't imagine any MS or especially PS flying that vehicle, with the possible exception of Chris Hadfield. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 09-04-2015 09:42 PM
Not even Patrick Baudry, who was to fly Hermes? |
Delta7
Member Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
|
posted 09-05-2015 01:39 PM
I remember reading some where that Don Lind initially trained as a shuttle pilot. |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
|
posted 09-06-2015 11:36 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
Not even Patrick Baudry, who was to fly Hermes?
The 1985 generation was primarily selected to fly Hermes. There are even postcards showing Haignéré, Tognini and Clervoy each inside a mockup Hermes cockpit (for autographs). But it was never to be, and neither of these French cosmonauts flew in a pilot role at all.
|
advertisement