Peter F. Girard was born 5 May 1918. Died 12 February 2011.

BSc Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley 1940.

Registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical), State of California.

World War II USAF 4-engine heavy bomber pilot.

Graduate of Navy Test Pilot School (TPTD) Patuxent River, MD 1953.

Principal/Chief Engineering Test Pilot, Ryan Aeronautical Co., 12 years.

First person to pilot a non-rotary wing Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) machine 1953.

First person to pilot a turbojet vertical take-off airplane (X-13) 1957.

Have held positions of:
- Chief of Aerodynamics and Flight Test
- Chief of Preliminary Design
- Design Specialist (Aero)
- Project Engineer
- Senior Project Engineer
- Project Manager, Advanced Systems
- Head Advanced Products.

Over 40 years as aeronautical engineer. Holds 28 patents.

Elected Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics.