Download Harnessing the Sky: Frederick "Trap" Trapnell, the U.S. Navy's Aviation Pioneer, 1923-1952 AudioBook Free
A pilot of calculated courage, "Trap" inserted the Navy when test pilots were similar to stuntmen than technicians. Airplanes hadn't yet come into their own as weapons of conflict, and they experienced an undeveloped role in the fleet. His perspective and leadership molded the progression of naval aviation through its formative years and beyond. If the threat of conflict in 1940 lifted an alarm on the Navy's deficit in aircraft - especially fighters - Trap was appointed to lead the Airline flight Test Section to steer the introduction of all-new Navy airplanes. He played a key role in expediting the progression of both superb fighters that came to dominate mid-air conflict against Japan - the Corsair and Hellcat. After World Conflict II, Trap went back as commander of the Naval Air Test Centre to lead the Navy through the issues of transitioning to jets. Trap was not only the first US Navy pilot to travel a jet, but is also known for determining the operating requirements for carrier-based jet propelled aircraft. Over the course of two decades, Trap tested virtually every naval aircraft prototype and pioneered the beliefs and the methods of the executive test pilot. He demanded comprehensive testing of every aircraft in conditions and maneuvers it would face in wartime fleet functions.
