Dick Taylor

Richard W. Taylor, airplane designer, test pilot and aerospace executive retired from The Boeing Company in 1991 after 45 years of service. He continues to contribute to advances in aviation safety and operational flexibility and efficiency in his eighth decade as a pilot. 

Among many other types, Mr. Taylor has flown the B-17, B-29, B-47, B-50, B-52, C-97, KC-135, 377 (Stratocruiser), 707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 model Boeing airplanes. He currently owns and flies a twin-engine Piper Aerostar equipped with innovative avionics systems. He holds several world speed records with the Aerostar.

A native of Indiana, Mr. Taylor graduated from Purdue University. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.  He served on the EAA Foundation Board 1991 – 2004 and the EAA Board of Trustees 2004 - 2009. He continues to serve the EAA as a Trustee Emeritus  He has been attending AirVenture faithfully since 1975.

In 1991 he received the Federal Aviation Administration’s Distinguished Service Award, for extraordinary service in aviation safety and contributions to international aviation. In 1967, he received the Society of Experimental Test Pilots’ Doolittle award for technical management. In 1973, Taylor was awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Purdue University. 

Dick Taylor joined Boeing in 1946 as a design engineer held a number of flight test posts, including project test pilot for the B-47 Stratojet. He was director of engineering on the Model 737 program,Vice-President-General Manager of the Military Airplane Systems Division,  Vice-President in charge of the Washington, D. C. office; special assistant to the president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Company; Vice President General Manager of the 707/727/737 Division; Vice President of Product Development, Renton Division, and Vice-President of Government Technical Liaison. 

Since his retirement from Boeing in 1991, Mr. Taylor continued to serve as an active consultant to The Boeing Company in matters of certification, design, safety, and extended-range operations for several years. Mr. Taylor is an active board member at Sandel Avionics, and has been instrumental in setting the future direction of the company as it becomes a significant contributor in the field of advanced avionics.  He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Museum of Flight.