Eugene J. Zehr (1994 Fellow and 1988 KJ Award)
Eugene J. "Gene" Zehr (1928–1993) was a distinguished leader in flight test engineering, recognized for his significant technical contributions to iconic fighter programs and his foundational service to the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE).
Professional Achievements and Technical Leadership
Mr. Zehr's career was defined by his extensive work on advanced military aircraft and his leadership roles within the McDonnell Aircraft Flight Test Division.
- Program Leadership: He served as the Chief Flight Test Engineer for McDonnell Aircraft (1978–1988), where he was responsible for the test planning and conduct of major fighter programs including the F-15, F-18, AV-8, YF-23, and A-12.
- Military Service: From 1952 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Air Force, flying F-80 aircraft during the Korean War and serving as an instructor for F-86D aircraft.
- Technical Milestones:
- F-101 Program: Conducted autopilot, lateral stability, and spin programs at Edwards AFB.
- F-4 Program: Led flight test analysis for the F-4 program and later managed the F-4 AWG-10 radar program.
- Safety Innovation: Participated in a special auto-collision study team that laid the groundwork for the McDonnell-Douglas collision avoidance system.
- Instrumentation Development: Designed the data system for the FX competition, which ultimately became the F-15 Eagle.
- F-101 Program: Conducted autopilot, lateral stability, and spin programs at Edwards AFB.
- International Representation: In 1993, he served as the Delegation Leader for the Citizen Ambassador Program’s Flight Test Engineering Delegation to Russia and Ukraine.
SFTE Recognition and Honors
A dedicated member of the Society, Mr. Zehr received its highest accolades for his leadership and technical influence.
- "Kelly" Johnson Award (1988): He was honored with this award for "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Flight Test Engineering".
- SFTE Fellow (1994): He was posthumously elected as an SFTE Fellow, the highest grade achievable in the Society, honoring his notable distinction and lasting contributions to the field.
- Society Leadership: He served as President of the St. Louis Chapter (1977–1978), Program Chairman for the 1984 SFTE Symposium, and was the first Chairman of the SFTE Technical Council, which he helped establish to improve the technical content of the Society.
