Bruce Peterson
| Bruce A. Peterson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| NASA Research / Test Pilot | |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Deceased |
| Born |
May 23, 1933 Washburn, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 2006 (aged 72) Laguna Niguel, California, U.S. |
|
Other names
|
Bruce A. Peterson |
|
Other occupation
|
Naval aviator, test pilot |
|
University of California at Los Angeles Cal Poly, B.S. 1960 |
|
| Missions | none |
| Awards | NASA Exceptional Leadership Award Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award |
Bruce A. Peterson (May 23, 1933 – May 1, 2006) was an American aeronautical engineer, and test pilot for NASA.
Peterson was born on May 23, 1933. A native of Washburn, North Dakota, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles, and California Polytechnic State University. Peterson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Poly in 1960.
Following attending UCLA, Peterson enlisted as a naval aviation cadet and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954. Peterson joined NASA in August 1960 as an engineer at the Dryden Flight Research Center. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (Class 62C) at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and transferring to flight operations in 1962, he was assigned as one of the project pilots on the Rogallo paraglider research vehicle (Paresev) program. He made his first Paresev research flight on March 14, 1962. He was injured when the craft crashed from a height of about 10 feet (3 m) during a ground tow flight. Always the consummate engineer, his first question after impact was, "What happened to the lateral stick forces?"
As a NASA research pilot he flew a wide variety of airplanes including the F5D-1, F-100, F-104, F-111A, B-52, NT-33A Variable Stability Trainer, the wingless lifting bodies and numerous general aviation aircraft as well as several types of helicopters and sailplanes.
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