Floyd Sweet

Floyd J., Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.) Sailplane Pilot and World Class Volunteer Age 91, of Potomac Falls, VA. He was born on June 29, 1914 in Elmira, son of the late W. Glenn Sweet (Mayor of Elmira 1930-1932) and Nettie (VerNooy) Sweet and passed away Thursday, March 30, 2006, at Falcons Landing in Sterling, VA. Floyd was predeceased by his wife, Frances Peebles Sweet; and brother, Norman Sweet. He is survived by his wife, Isabel B. Sweet of Sterling, VA; sister, Evelyn Sweet Allen of Clayton, NY; son, F. Jerome Sweet, Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; daughter, Kittie Sweet Alexander (Raymond) of Burnsville, MN; son, William G. Sweet (Linda) of Fairfax, VA; six grandchildren; eight great-grand-children along with several nieces and nephews. Floyd showed early interest in aviation. In 1928 he joined the Elmira Model Airplane Club and made rubber band-powered very light aircraft and gliders. A year later he joined a group that built a Dagling Primary Glider. He soloed the Dagling in 1930. In 1931 he qualified for his first glider license - #45, signed by Orville Wright. He attended the University of Michigan where he participated in the marching band and the glider club. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps. He graduated in 1937 with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. Following graduation he married Frances Peebles of Elmira. They were married for 50 years until her death in 1987. Due to his background in soaring, he transferred to the Army Air Corps. During World War II he trained glider pilots (in 29 Palms, CA) for combat in Europe and Asia. He also worked in research and development of the gliders and assault aircraft (CGA-4) used during the war. After the war he transferred to the U.S. Air Force and continued to spend much of his career working in various aircraft development programs at Wright Field in Dayton, OH. Floyd retired from the USAF in 1961 and went to work at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he served as an intelligence officer until his retirement in 1976. After his retirement from NASA he continued active participation with his many organizations, among them are: Soaring Society of America (past president, and director for 51 years; founding editor of Soaring magazine); World War II Glider Pilots Association (executive council member); National Soaring Museum (charter member, past president and trustee); National Aeronautics Association; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Associate Fellow); Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association and OSTIV - Organization Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile. His honors include Warren E. Eaton Memorial Trophy (1941); Soaring Hall of Fame (1963); National Aeronautics Association - Elder Statesman of Aviation (1988); Legend of Aviation - recognized at the opening of the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport (2003); Funeral services were held in Virginia. Family and friends are invited to attend his graveside service on Tuesday, April 4th, at 11 a.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery. A reception will follow at the National Soaring Museum. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may remember Floyd through donations to the National Soaring Museum, 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, NY 14903. Walter J. Kent Funeral Home is assisting the family.