TEST PILOT
Billie Flynn
CD, MBA, MSc
TEST PILOT
Former F-35 Lightning II Senior Experimental Test Pilot
Global Strategic Advisor and Consultant – Advanced Aviation Technologies and Strategies
Retired RCAF Combat Commander
Society of Experimental Test Pilot Fellow and Past President
Delivers expertise and insight garnered over 4 decades working at the tactical and strategic levels in the Canadian Armed Forces, the US Air Force, and industry.
Technical Expert. Available to discuss technical issues in the global aerospace, military geopolitical themes and other topics relating to the military-industrial complex.
Global Spokesperson. A global media spokesperson and public speaker with experience working with media and speaking to audiences around the world. Fluent in English and French.
Motivation Speaker. Billie speaks on thriving in a kinetic environment and key lessons to succeed in high-risk projects in business.
Decades of experience working with media connects and engages with any audience in easy-to-understand practical discussion. A test pilot with unmatched credentials in over 80 aircraft flown and 5000+ hours, Billie truly embodies the “Right Stuff”.
- Advanced Fighter Technologies
- Military Aviation
- Aviation Technologies
- Defence Procurement
- Canadian Arctic Sovereignty
- NORAD Modernization
- NATO Coalition / Interoperability
BACKGROUND
A Senior Experimental Test Pilot (Fellow), Combat Squadron Commander with unmatched knowledge in advanced technologies in aviation, future fighter aircraft, and global defence topics. He breaks down complex technical issues and themes in a manner that is understandable to all audiences.
Fifth Generation and Future Fighter Aircraft: During the 40+ years of flying, tested advanced fighter aircraft around the globe. Recently retired from the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company as the Senior F-35 Test Pilot and further acted as global spokesman for the F-35 program, the largest defense program in history and leading the development of the Fifth Generation fighter aircraft. Developed and performed the F-35 airshow demonstration, launched at the 2017 Paris Air Show. As a civilian test pilot, flew the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter in Munich, Germany.
Combat Veteran and Fighter Squadron Commander:
Served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 23 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Commanding Officer of 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron and Commanding Officer of Canadian Task Force Aviano during Operation Allied Force; flew combat missions over Kosovo and Former Replublic of Yugoslavia. This combat unit received Battle Honours from Queen Elizabeth II, the first such distinction for a Canadian fighting unit since World War II. First pilot selected to fly the CF-18 in 1984. Military flying experience includes fighter and test pilot with the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and NASA.
Billie holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University Fresno, a Master of Science degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Ottawa. He attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, graduating as an Experimental Test Pilot. He is a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and served as SETP President from 2010-2011.