Henry G. "Hank" Beaird

Beaird, Henry G. "Hank" Renowned test pilot and WW II aviator Henry G. " Hank" Beaird, Jr. was born 12 Nov 1924 in Headland, AL. He passed away on 2 Feb 2009 in Dallas, TX at the age of 84. He was president of his senior class at Cullman County High School near Birmingham. Having finished high school at age 17, Hank attended API (Auburn University) and played on the freshman football team. Hank was inducted into the USAAF in April, 1943 at the age of 18. He received his commission and wings in 1944 at the age of 19 from Douglas AAF, AZ. He was stationed primarily in New Guinea with the 3rd Air Commando Group flying P-51's and C-47's. He was also stationed in the PI and in Japan after the war as part of the occupation forces. He was discharged from active duty in November, 1946. Hank finished his aeronautical engineering degree at Alabama in 1949, being perhaps the only Alabama graduate to have played football at Auburn. Hank married Rosalind Riddle on 22 June 1951 while he was working as an engineer for Chance Vought and flying P-51's and F-84's in the Texas ANG. Hank and Rosalind then moved to Long Island and later Lancaster, CA where he flew the first production model of the Republic F-105. Later, Hank was chief test pilot for Lear Jet in Wichita, KS where he made the first flights on the Lear Jet models 23, 24, and 25. Hank then lived in Bonham, TX for ten years working as a hardware store owner and high school and college math instructor. He returned to flying in Reno, NV where he made the first flight on the Lear Fan. He was a charter member and Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He was also a member of the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame. Hank was preceded in death by one brother. He is survived by Rosalind, his wife of 57 years, one brother and one sister. He is also survived by 4 sons and 5 grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at Chapel Hill UMC in Farmers Branch, TX at 4 PM on 7 Feb 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapel Hill UMC, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, or Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame.