October 27, 2020, Palm Springs, CA: To support the intense public interest in the Stealth Fighter #-833, there will be six upcoming F-117A Exclusive Visitor Experiences at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Five of the six F-117A Nighthawk expert guest speakers are now confirmed for this series. The F-117A Stealth Fighter was developed and built by the Skunk Works Division of Lockheed Martin.
Each experience lasts 90 minutes and includes a different Skunk Works Expert or F-117 pilot to interpret the airplane, a different Limited Edition T-Shirt, and a chance to look inside the cockpit for each session.
75 years ago in Burbank, California, engineer Kelly Johnson devised an operational concept so unique it is still celebrated today. As the birthplace of many revolutionary technologies – from America’s first fighter jet to the classified programs of today – Skunk Works sets the precedent for how our most critical and difficult problems are solved.
The F-117 Experience dates and confirmed guest speakers are:
Friday October 30th with Steve Justice, the Former Director of Advanced Systems Development at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works Division. His perspectives on the projects provide unique insight into the environment that spawned historic aircraft - such as the SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3 reconnaissance jet and F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter - as well as the challenges faced by the teams
Friday November 27th, with Sherm Mullin, Lockheed Skunk Works Head, Advanced Tactical Fighter Program. Mr. Mullin served as President of Lockheed Advanced Development Company, a defense contractor, from 1990 to his retirement in 1994. Prior to that he served in various other engineering and management capacities at Lockheed Corporation, an aerospace company, from 1959 to 1990. He also served as an ad hoc advisor to the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board from 1994 to 2000. Mr. Mullin is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Mr. Mullin retired from the Board as of the date of the annual meeting on November 17, 2008.
Saturday November 28th, with James “JB” Brown, former Chief of Flight Operations, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Division. Brown was the chief of flight operations for the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. Before that, he was the chief test pilot for the F-22 Raptor program stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California where he performed activities including avionics testing, flight envelope expansion, and the creation of procedural flight manuals for the Air Force. Before that, he was the chief test pilot for the F-117 Nighthawk. Brown is a Fellow and past president of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Saturday, December 26th, with Neil Kacena, Vice President, Advanced Development Programs, Lockheed Martin. In 1998 Neil joined Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works where he served as the Director of Signature Management Systems and later as the Director of Advanced Development Program’s Technology Development and Integration Organization. In 2005, he was named Vice President of Advanced Development Programs Deputy. He also chairs Lockheed Martin’s corporate-wide low observables technology focus group, working across business areas and company lines to address critical technologies for applications to advanced projects.\
Saturday, January 2nd – To Be Announced.
Saturday, February 6th, with Bob Loschke, F-117 Flight Control Systems Research, Flight Control System Analysis, Development, and Testing – 36 years with Lockheed Martin in flight systems development.
These very, limited availability tickets are $45 each or $245 for the entire series of 6 (six) Experiences. Each experience will take place in the evening at 5 PM. Tickets may be purchased online at PSAirMuseum.org/programs/f117-experience/
Stealth Fighter F-117A #833 is the second highest combat mission aircraft in the fleet, logging 75 combat hours during Operation Desert Storm and Allied Force. The aircraft was also the 49th Wing Commander's aircraft during Operation Allied Force. In total, the aircraft has 5,140 hours of flight.
The Palm Springs Air Museum contains over 71 vintage airframes from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War contained in 86,000 square feet of open hangars and on the tarmac. Additional displays and memorabilia are located throughout the hangar facilities. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Admission rates range from $11.50 to $18.50. Kids 12 and under get in free with paid adult admission. Discounts for seniors and teenagers. Active military and immediate family are free with ID.
For more info, visit PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org or call 760-778-6262 during business hours.
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