30 September 1950 – The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was founded in 1951, when scientists from the field of space research gathered in an attempt to ensure a constant dialogue between the space nations, regardless of political turmoil. In its early years, the Federation and its annual International Astronautical Congresses – better known as the
“It’s been a good ride.
Kind of a side note, out of our class at Luke (62F) I got over 1000 hours in the Hun and never inflight refueled. At Luke, refueling and ACM were near the end of the program but when we got to it, the Cuban Crisis happened and when we went to the base one morning, all the planes were gone! I was flown to Florida. We sat around for a week I guess, and then they graduated us saying we could finish that training at our new assignment. Since my only tour in the Hun was Ramstein, and they had no requirement to inflight refuel, I got my 1000 hours and never had the pleasure of hooking up.
My longest flight was about 2:45, non-stop Ramstein to Wheelus.”
After serving in the USAF, Don flew from 1967-1997 for United Air Lines. He piloted the 737, 727, DC 8, and DC-10, was Copilot on the 727, DC 10, 747-400, and Captain on the 727.
