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
On my first solo flight, I tried to reach 50,000 feet altitude. My airspeed was dropping off due to the high angle of attack so I pushed the throttle up to full afterburner. I then experienced a huge explosion which blew both of my feet off the rudder pedals. It scared me to death, our instructors had never mentioned a compressor stall. I let go of the controls and the aircraft recovered after losing 15000 feet. When I got back to the briefing room my instructor asked me how my solo flight went I related the problem. He laughed his ass off and then explained what a compressor stall was.
After retiring from the USAF in 1987, I was hired by General Dynamics as a Product Support Regional Manager (F-16) in the Pacific Region (based in Hawaii). I was there until 1991. I then relocated to Singapore as a Corporate Marketing Director of F-16 sales in Southeast Asia.
From 1993-1996, I was Vice President of Lockheed Martin Corporation in Singapore. From 1996-2006 I was Vice President of Space Imaging at a Lockheed Martin subsidiary company based in Singapore and Bangkok Thailand.
From 2006 to the present, I’ve been working as a Consultant and Executive Vice President for Five Continents International.
