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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Lowery, John M.

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  • Lowery, John M.

John M. Lowery

Preferred Name: John
Nickname/Call Sign: Panther
Date of Birth: February 23, 1929
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Opelika, AL
Biography
Pilot Information
Album
Books

John Lowery has been a flight instructor since 1961. He first soloed a Piper J-3 Cub on June 4, 1944 at age 16.

After graduating from Auburn University in 1951, he spent 23 years in the USAF flying a variety of high performance aircraft. During a brief break in service in late 1955 he flew DC-3s for Western Airlines as a First Officer. He returned to the Air Force and subsequently lived and flew all over the world. Following his retirement from the Air Force in January 1975, he spent the next 24 years as a practicing flight instructor and FAA-Designated Pilot Proficiency Examiner in the Sabreliner corporate jet. In addition he was for some time a Pilot Examiner in the King Air turbo-prop series and various light airplanes.

Mr. Lowery holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with numerous type ratings, a Commercial with single and multi-engine sea ratings and an instrument/multi-engine flight instructors’ certificate. In the process he accumulated more than 13,500 flying hours. Concurrently he earned a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and taught for ERAU as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Science at the University’s night campus at McClellan A.F.B California, teaching both graduate and under-graduate courses in Corporate Aviation Management and Aircraft Accident Investigation. He remains active today as an aviation writer and consultant in selected aircraft accidents.

Books by the author include Anatomy of a Spin published by Airguide Publications, and Professional Pilot,First and Second Editions, published originally by Iowa State University Press, now published and distributed by ASA. (1)

John Lowery has lived in nine countries and hunted extensively worldwide – including the gravel plain of Libyan Sahara and South East Asia. The book represents both his experience and extensive research.(2)

(1) source: http://www.spoke.com/people/john-lowery-3e1429c09e597c10061af483
(2) source: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1199568.John_Lowery

Units Assigned

  • 1951 Entered USAF
  • 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Quality Control, Flight Test (F-100)
  • 1/1975 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal
Air medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Professional Pilot of Year, Professional Pilot magazine, 1977

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • 1951  Auburn University
  • MS/Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Lowery, John In F86
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Wall of Honor Location

A Pilot’s Accident Review: An in-depth look at high-profile accidents that shaped aviation rules and procedures by John Lowery and William B. Scott | Dec 21, 2015

 

 

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