Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 1 Line: 85

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Captain Tweden has had a career of more than forty years in aviation, including over 32 years in service with United Airlines. He joined United Airlines in December, 1967, and retired at the age of sixty in January, 2000. In addition to flying the line, Captain Tweden served as an instructor pilot on the B757/B767 aircraft and was an FAA-designated rating examiner on the B757/B767 and the B777. He worked in management for two years as a Flight Manager at the San Francisco domicile.
One of the highlights of his career was being selected as part of the initial cadre of instructor and supervisory pilot staff that would prepare United Airlines and its pilots to introduce the B777 into commercial service. This meant acquiring an aircraft type rating is an aircraft not yet certified by the FAA for commercial service. Captain Tweden and other members of the initial cadre flew with Boeing pilots to obtain both initial ETOPS certification for the aircraft and 180*minute ETOPS authorization for United. Captain Tweden was featured in the documentary film about the development, testing and certification of the B777 titled 'Twenty-first Century Jet" and in a subsequent book by the same title.
Captain Tweden also had a career in the U. S. Navy and the Naval Reserve that spanned 23 years. His service included a tour as Commanding Officer of Helicopter Attack Squadron FTVE.
In the variety of his life as an aviator, Captain Tweden has been licensed to operate large commercial aircraft, small corporate jets and props, helicopters, and lighter-than-air hot air balloons.