Stetson R. Cowan

United States of America

 

1948 - 2008

Stetson R. Cowan served as a Commander in the U.S. Air Force and a Boeing Apache test pilot. Born on December 16, 1948, in Eastland, Texas, he graduated from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1971. Following flight training at Vance Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base, he served at a variety of installations before he was selected to attend the US Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River. Following graduation, he was transferred to Edward Air Force Base where he flew many experimental aircraft and then taught at the US Air Force Test Pilot School.  After receiving his Master of Science degree at Golden Gate University, he served as Commander of the 6514^th Test Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, near Ogden, Utah. Following his retirement, Boeing offered him a position at the company's Mesa facility, where he served—and was happiest—as an Apache test pilot. He also worked on the unmanned X-50A Dragonfly and then served as a Systems Safety Engineer.

Mr. Cowan passed away during July 2008 at his home in Mesa, Arizona.

AHS Updates: Vertiflite Winter 2008