David C. Fedors
NASA Pilot
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David C. Fedors is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He flies the Gulfstream III, the DC-8 airborne science laboratory, the U.S. Air Force C-17 and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a modified Boeing 747SP and the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory. He also is assigned to the T-34 mission support aircraft and the remotely piloted X-56 multi-utility technology testbed.
Experience
A native of Pasadena, California, Fedors began working at NASA Armstrong in 2013 after eight years as a civilian test pilot for the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base. While there, he conducted flight tests on the KC-135, KC-10, C-130 and B747 aircraft. Prior to his work at the squadron, Fedors was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force at Beale and Edwards Air Force bases.
Education
A distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics, Fedors received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Fresno State University, Fresno, California, where he graduated with honors.
He is a graduate of Class 93A at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. He is the lead author of numerous Air Force Test Center technical papers, and he retired in 2015 with the rank of colonel from the Air Force Reserve.
Honors
Fedors is an associate fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. Military honors he has received include the Meritorious Service Medal and Aerial Achievement Medal.