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Calspan Corporation
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Conceived in 1940, the company was originally founded in 1943
as part of the Research Laboratory of the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division at Buffalo, N.Y. It operated as the Cornell Aeronautical
Laboratory from 1946 until 1972 when Cornell University sold public stock in the lab and set it up as the Calspan Corporation.
Calspan was the first in a series of corporate owners that have included Arvin Industries, Space Industries International,
Veridian Corporation and General Dynamics.
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Internationally recognized for proven excellence in technology
and science, the company has built its reputation on a rich heritage of innovation and a desire to understand and fully meet
the requirements of its customers - from small businesses to large U.S. government agencies and foreign governments.
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Over the years, much of Calspan's work has included closely guarded
industrial research and highly classified military work, some of it "Top Secret," such as the development of military aircraft,
systems and weapons; strategic defense initiatives; FBI finger-printing systems; and countermeasures to chemical and electromagnetic
warfare and terrorist attacks.
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Calspan provides airborne research, development, and test and
evaluation services using a highly modified F-16 fighter jet In-Flight Simulator and the NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator,
both owned by the U.S. Air Force, and three company-owned Learjet In-Flight Simulators. Many major aircraft development programs
for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and U.S. allies' aircraft development programs have utilized these In-Flight Simulators to assist
in the development of flight control systems.
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For a number of years, the company maintained the oldest airplane
in the U.S. Air Force, a highly modified T-33 jet trainer. This research aircraft was flown by nearly every astronaut and
test pilot of note, including Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon.
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The company's Learjet In-Flight Simulators provide commercial
pilots with training to recover from loss of control and upset events, which are a leading cause of accidents and airline
fatalities. These aircraft also provide engineering and test pilot training for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Naval Test Pilot
Schools as well as those of several U.S. allies.
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The Calspan wind tunnel complex has helped shape the direction
of flight research for nearly 60 years, having tested more than 1,000 models of aircraft from World War II bombers to cruise
missiles.
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High-profile transportation work through the decades includes
crash tests and research that has led to improved designs for seat belts, child auto restraints, safer tires, studded snow
tires, highway dividers and impact-absorbing guardrails.
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Calspan introduced its first crash test dummy, known as "Thin
Man" in 1948. Its Liberty Mutual Safety Vehicle, built in the 1950s and featuring more than 60 safety innovations, is now
on display in the Ford Automotive Museum.
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Pioneered a cellular-based accident notification system that
has evolved into navigation/roadside assistance systems used by many auto manufacturers.
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Calspan computers designed the ramps that enabled an auto show
thrill driver to perform an "Astro Spiral Jump" featured in a James Bond action film.
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Has helped numerous U.S. Olympic skiers, ski jumpers, bobsledders
and lugers "go for the Gold" by refining their techniques and equipment, and minimizing wind drag.
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Company's main complex is located at 4455 Genesee St. in Cheektowaga,
N.Y., opposite the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The company also operates a new $13.3 million flight research center
at the Niagara Falls International Airport in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and a research laboratory in Ashford, N.Y.
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Calspan also maintains a flight research operation at Edwards
Air Force Base, Calif. and a flight training facility in Roswell, N.M., and performs on-site accident investigations throughout
the eastern half of the U.S.
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Calspan Corporation has approximately 240 employees with a variety
of talents and backgrounds. A key element in the company's success is its interdisciplinary approach. Calspan's highly integrated
work force includes mechanical, electrical, computer system, software, control system and aeronautical engineers; test pilots;
and aircraft and test facility electronic technicians and mechanics.
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Company's new corporate structure includes five operating units:
Calspan and the B-26 Invader
The B-26 started flying in October 1952 and was also used for
the longitudinal research work described in the F-94 section. In 1958 the Air Force ended its sponsorship and donated this
B-26 along with
two others to Calspan. While continuing longitudinal research work in the B-26 for the Naval Air Test Center
in 1960, the Calspan Program Manager and pilot, Giff Bull showed the B-26’s capabilities to the staff of the Naval Test
Pilot School (NTPS). They were struck with the unique capabilities of the VSS and how it might be able to be used as a flying
class room to demonstrate flying qualities that their students were learning on the ground. They incorporated a B-26 flight
into a lecture that Calspan pilots were giving at the NTPS and it was an instant success. The AFTPS also added the B-26 demonstrations
to their curriculum three years later. A decision was then made to add variable stability roll and yaw to the VSS, and convert
a second B-26 into another 3-axis VSS aircraft. Both aircraft’s upgrades were completed in 1963, and forty years of
TPS demonstration flights (in the B-26, NT-33, Learjet, and VISTA) have continued since then. Similar demonstration and training
programs have also been performed for the FAA, NASA, aircraft manufacturers, and foreign agencies. A closed-loop throttle
servo was added to the B-26 in the mid 1960s for a Supersonic Transport simulation. This was the first application of a four
degree-of-freedom simulation system.
In addition to the early longitudinal flying qualities research
and TPS efforts, the B-26s have been used for many other research programs. These have included:
Pilot Primary Controllers – various wheels,
center and side-sticks
C-5A, Supersonic Transport, Piper Cheyenne Accident Investigation
Saab Mini-stick (early version
of JAS-39 stick)
The B-26s continued flying at the AFTPS and NTPS until early
1981, when one of the aircraft suffered a wing structural failure that resulted in the loss of the aircraft and crew of three.
The cause was an original manufacturing defect and not related to VSS operations. The second B-26 was then retired and now
resides at the Air Museum at Edwards AFB. They were subsequently replaced by the variable stability Learjets
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The above two shots - (right front) Cornell University
(becomes CALSPAN) N9146H, a B-26B-45-DL used for aeronautical research.
On the left is Marketeer N237Y in the final stages of prep prior
to delivery to Standard Oil Co.
N9146H November 1989 (David Hedge photo)
Thanks to Rob's aircraft library for the above shot
Above, at Buffalo in 1974
The above three shots were supplied by Graham Robson
Above, 1989
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Serial #: 44-34165
Construction #: 27444
Civil
Registration:
N9146H
Model(s):
A-26B
TB-26H
Name: None
Status:
Stored
Last info: 2002
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History:
Cornell Aero Laboratory Inc, Buffalo, NY, 1963-1972.
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Registered as N9146H.
Calspan Corp., Buffalo, NY/Edwards AFB, CA, 1972-1986.
USAFM/Flight Test Historical Museum,
Edwards AFB, 1986-2002.
- Stored in museum storage yard at Edwards AFB, CA. |
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Above, at NATC Patuxent River, photo supplied by Joe
Handelman
Built as s/n 44-34653. The Air Force Research Lab had the aircraft
modified to a Variable Stability testbed in the early 1960s. It was used for both AFRL projects and USAF and USN Test Pilot
School curriculum flights. The Calspan instructor pilot served as the safety pilot in the left seat while the right seat flight
control system was programmable and used by the student or project pilot. This aircraft was used by the test pilot schools
until 3 March 1981, when it disintegrated during a curriculum flight north of Edwards AFB. The left wing separated
after spar failure. Unfortunately, the parachutes were normally tied down in the aft fuselage and neither the Calspan pilot
or the two TPS engineering students got out.
Timing is everything. AFRL knew that this aircraft, and its sister
ship TB-26B s/n 44-34165 (N9146), were at the end of their useful service life and were due to be replaced by a single variable
stability Learjet with the next TPS class. The surviving variable stability A-26 is held by the Air Force Flight Test Center
Museum at Edwards and is in the same markings as the aircraft that was lost.
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Serial #: 44-34653
Construction #: 27932
Civil
Registration:
N9417H
Model(s):
A-26B
B-26B
Name: None
Status:
Crashed
Last info: 1981
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History:
Cornell Aeronautical Laboratories, Buffalo,
NY, 1963-1972.
- Registered as N9417H.
Calspan Corp, Buffalo, NY, 1977.
- Crashed after suffering port wing failure,
near Edwards AFB, CA, Mar. 3, 1981. |
Note
NTSB Identification: LAX81FA054
14 CFR Part
91 General Aviation
Event occurred Tuesday, March 03, 1981 in EDWARDS AFB, CA
Aircraft: DOUGLAS B-26, registration:
N9417H
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FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES FLIGHT PILOT DATA
F S M/N PURPOSE
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3-3360 81/3/3 NR.EDWARDS AFB,CA DOUGLAS B-26 CR- 3 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 3522
TIME - 0928 N9417H PX- 0 0 0 OTHER PUBLIC TOTAL HOURS, 139 IN TYPE,
DAMAGE-DESTROYED OT- 0 0 0 INSTRUMENT RATED.
DEPARTURE POINT INTENDED DESTINATION
EDWARDS AFB,CA LOCAL
TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION
AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT IN FLIGHT: OTHER
PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
FIRE AFTER IMPACT
REMARKS- L WING SEPD DRG MNVRG FLT,FATIGUE FOUND AT WING STATION 141 ON LWR FWD SPAR CAP.
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Above is N237Y, when she flew for PFB Enterprises of Akron,
Ohio.
Here she is parked at Columbus-Port Columbus International
in July 70
Above is 237 when she was at Buffalo - NY in June 86
The above shot shows 237 while at Buffalo - NY in 87 and was supplied by
Mike Jones Via Air - Britain
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Serial #: 41-39516
Construction #:
7229
Civil
Registration:
N237Y
Model(s):
A-26B
B-26B
On Mark
Marketeer
Name:
None
Status: Static Display
Last info: 2002
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History:
Standard Oil Co, Chicago, IL, 1954-1963.
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Registered as N237Y.
Alsam Inc, Youndston, OH, 1966-1969.
PBF Enterprises, Akron, OH, 1970-1972.
Calspan Corp, Buffalo,
NY/Edwards AFB, CA, 1977-1990.
National Warplane Museum, Geneseo, NY, 1990-2002.
- Donated by Calspan Corp.
- Displayed in 149th BS
(Light), Virginia ANG scheme |
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