Gerry C. Hartmann

Gerry C. Hartmann was a research pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, from 2019 to 2022. As a contractor with Integration Innovation Inc (i3), he flew the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a modified Boeing 747SP with the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory.

Hartmann was also a Boeing 777 captain for United Airlines, a position he held since 1989. Previously, he was a pilot at Eastern Airlines from 1984 to 1989, at Wings West Airlines from 1983 to 1984, and at C&M Airlines from 1982 to 1983. He was a certified flight instructor from 1980 to 1983. In addition to SOFIA and the Boeing 777, Hartmann has flown the Boeing 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767 aircraft, the Airbus A320, the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 airliner, the Beech BE-C99 airliner, the Fairchild SA227 metroliner, and the Cessna 402 aircraft.

Hartmann was a B747 pilot instructor training captains, first officers, and flight engineers. He also was a flight engineer line check airman and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircrew Program Designee (APD), as well as a line check airman (check pilot) on the Boeing 737, 757, and 767.

Hartmann received the D.B Robinson Air Safety Award from the United Airlines Chapter of the Airline Pilots Association. He served on the United Pilots Central Air Safety Committee (CASC) in various positions for 12 years. The CASC is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of aviation safety involving pilots of the airline on behalf of the United Pilots. As vice chairman, he served as the liaison of all base safety committees at each of United Airlines’ domiciles and the CASC chairman. As chief accident investigator, he supervised technical investigations on all accidents and incidents at the airline and assisted United Airlines Flight Safety Investigation group and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in all aspects of an investigation involving a United Airlines flight. He also served as a member of the Events Review Committee and Fatigue Review Committee, safety programs with United Airlines, and the FAA.

After attending Foothill Community College in California, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, and San Jose State University in California, Hartmann earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1984 from the University of Phoenix in Arizona.