Phil Oestricher
- December 18, 2015
- 84 years
About Phil Oestricher
Phil Oestricher, 84, American test pilot.
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Full Biography
|Philip F. Oestricher (1931 – December 18, 2015) was an American aerodynamics engineer and test pilot. He made both the unscheduled first flight of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon on January 20, 1974 and its official first flight on February 2, 1974.
Career
Oestricher worked at Consolidated Vultee as an aerodynamics engineer on the B-36 bomber. He later served in the United States Marine Corps, where he flew the F4D Skyray. As a test pilot, Oestricher flew all models of the F-111 fighter-bomber.
On January 20, 1974, Oestricher piloted the unscheduled first flight of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon at Edwards Air Force Base, California. While performing high-speed ground tests, Oestricher nearly lost control of the aircraft when it entered a series of roll oscillations. Oestricher elected to take the craft airborne to avoid crashing and remained in flight for six minutes. Oestricher also piloted the F-16's official first flight on February 2, 1974. He contributed to the development of multiple versions of the F-16 and established F-16 safety protocols.
Death
Oestricher died in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 18, 2015, at the age of 84.
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Videos about Phil Oestricher
"Memorable Moment - YF-16 Test Pilot Phil Oestricher"
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Oestricher
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Phil Oestricher's archived record and the sources above.
1.When was the official first flight of the General Dynamics F-16 conducted by Philip F. Oestricher?
- A.January 20, 1974
- B.February 2, 1974correct
- C.April 4, 1974
- D.March 15, 1974
Philip F. Oestricher piloted the official first flight of the F-16 on February 2, 1974.
Source: biography introduction
2.Which models of the F-111 did Philip F. Oestricher fly as a test pilot?
- A.All modelscorrect
- B.The F-111 and F-111B variants
- C.Only the F-111A
- D.Only the original model
As a test pilot, Philip F. Oestricher flew all models of the F-111 fighter-bomber.
Source: career section
3.Besides flight testing, what contribution did Philip F. Oestricher make to the F-16 program?
- A.Established safety protocolscorrect
- B.Negotiated government contracts
- C.Managed the production line
- D.Designed the ejection seat
Philip F. Oestricher contributed to the development of multiple versions of the F-16 and established F-16 safety protocols.
Source: career section
4.In which city did Philip F. Oestricher pass away?
- A.Dallas, Texas
- B.Fort Worth, Texascorrect
- C.Washington, D.C.
- D.Los Angeles, California
Philip F. Oestricher died in Fort Worth, Texas.
Source: death section
5.On what date did Philip F. Oestricher die?
- A.January 20, 2015
- B.August 16, 2021
- C.December 18, 2015correct
- D.February 2, 2016
Philip F. Oestricher died on December 18, 2015.
Source: death section
6.How old was Philip F. Oestricher at the time of his death?
- A.84correct
- B.82
- C.80
- D.86
Philip F. Oestricher died at the age of 84.
Source: death section
7.What was the title of the Lockheed Martin article referencing Philip F. Oestricher?
- A.Memorable Moment - YF-16 Test Pilot Phil Oestrichercorrect
- B.Test Pilots of the Century
- C.The Life of Philip F. Oestricher
- D.The F-16 Development History
The external link is titled "Memorable Moment - YF-16 Test Pilot Phil Oestricher".
Source: external links section
8.When did Philip F. Oestricher conduct the unscheduled first flight of the General Dynamics F-16?
- A.February 2, 1975
- B.February 2, 1974
- C.January 20, 1975
- D.January 20, 1974correct
Philip F. Oestricher made the unscheduled first flight of the F-16 on January 20, 1974.
Source: biography introduction
9.Where did the unscheduled first flight of the General Dynamics F-16 take place?
- A.Lockheed facility, Georgia
- B.Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- C.Fort Worth, Texas
- D.Edwards Air Force Base, Californiacorrect
The unscheduled first flight of the F-16 took place at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Source: career section
10.What issue caused Philip F. Oestricher to take the F-16 airborne during ground tests?
- A.Landing gear failure
- B.Hydraulic leak
- C.Engine fire
- D.Roll oscillationscorrect
Philip F. Oestricher nearly lost control during high-speed ground tests due to roll oscillations.
Source: career section
11.How long was the unscheduled first flight of the F-16 piloted by Philip F. Oestricher?
- A.Four minutes
- B.Six minutescorrect
- C.Eight minutes
- D.Ten minutes
Philip F. Oestricher remained in flight for six minutes during the unscheduled first flight.
Source: career section
12.What was Philip F. Oestricher's profession?
- A.Mechanical engineer and airline pilot
- B.Aviation mechanic and flight instructor
- C.Structural architect and fighter pilot
- D.Aerodynamics engineer and test pilotcorrect
Philip F. Oestricher was an American aerodynamics engineer and test pilot.
Source: biography introduction
13.In what year was Philip F. Oestricher born?
- A.1940
- B.1935
- C.1931correct
- D.1925
Philip F. Oestricher was born in 1931.
Source: biography introduction
14.Which aircraft did Philip F. Oestricher work on as an aerodynamics engineer while at Consolidated Vultee?
- A.F4D Skyray
- B.F-111 fighter-bomber
- C.F-16 Fighting Falcon
- D.B-36 bombercorrect
Philip F. Oestricher worked at Consolidated Vultee as an aerodynamics engineer on the B-36 bomber.
Source: career section
15.Which military branch did Philip F. Oestricher serve in?
- A.United States Navy
- B.United States Air Force
- C.United States Marine Corpscorrect
- D.United States Army
Philip F. Oestricher served in the United States Marine Corps.
Source: career section
16.Which aircraft did Philip F. Oestricher fly while serving in the United States Marine Corps?
- A.F4D Skyraycorrect
- B.B-36 bomber
- C.F-111 fighter-bomber
- D.F-16 Fighting Falcon
During his service in the United States Marine Corps, Philip F. Oestricher flew the F4D Skyray.
Source: career section
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