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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Robert E. Smith

Charles A. Plummer, Jr.
1936-2010

After five years with the USAF, Charles A. Plummer began his flying career at McDonnell Aircraft Company as a Production/Engineering Test Pilot and worked his way up to Experimental Test Pilot and Chief Production Test Pilot. Charlie's experimental flight test experience included the F-4 Survivable Flight Control System, an analog Fly-by-Wire system researching computerized flight controls and sidestick controller characteristics throughout the envelope. He accompanied Pete Garrison on the First Flight and continued flight testing for the entire program. The F-4 Precision Aircraft Control Technology program followed, which added controllable Canards to further investigate Fly-by-Wire reduced stability characteristics. His participation in the F-15 Full Scale Development program included handling qualities, loads, and buffet investigation, and First Flight on the F-15B, shared with Irv Burrows. As Project Pilot for the YAV-8B/AV-8B Harrier Program Charlie flew the first Wingborne and Vertical flights of both prototype aircraft, plus numerous flights for envelope expansion, airstart envelope investigation, etc. He also participated in Modification and Test Program flights for the F-4, F-15, RU-21, and others. When not airborne Charlie worked with design teams and participated in numerous simulations of advanced design, flight control development, and controls and display development for the F-4, F-15, Y/AV-8B, and F/A-18 aircraft, plus several research vehicles.

Throughout his 36 years at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, Charlie consistently exhibited the characteristics of a consummate professional test pilot: inflight precision, maturity, meticulous attention to detail and a tireless work ethic.

While still actively flight testing, Charlie gained extensive international and managerial experience as V.P. Operations, McDonnell Douglas Spain Ltd., helping introduce the Harrier in Spain, and later as Program Manager, F/A-18 Switzerland. After retirement from McDonnell Douglas/Boeing he continued his flying career through Medical Air Transport missions with Wings of Hope, an aviation charity based in St. Louis, MO.

In 2009 Charlie was named a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.