You know he is a good leader when he gives his team members once in a life time opportunities to be the first pilot to fly the YF-22 and X-35. Team player, great leader, strive to be this guy.
Back in the '60's I was a cadet officer in the CAP. It was S. Flag. We had a lot of heavy Air Force brass as our Senior members were more mentors than instructirs. At the time we were working on Project Blue Book doing on scene investagations. Every once in awhile they would drop us a hint about Skunkworks. They were encouraging us to go pilot training with the possibility of flying these absolutely fantastic airplanes. One can only imagine the joy of flying an F-117! But F-4's were no slouches for their time.
Interesting people like Hal Farley could talk and talk and you'd never hear enough. That interview was more than a half hour and it seemed like only 10 minutes. Very well done.
I've always wondered why some sitcoms mock the elderly who constantly talk about the war years, or as old Uncle Albert would say, 'back in the war', I could listen to those folk all day, 👍
All day, every day. I remember volunteering at a retirement home (in the UK) about 25 years ago and spending nearly all my time listening to ex RAF pilots tell their WW2 stories. I loved it!
Back in 2014 or so Hal gave a talk to the Antelope Valley SFTE and SETP at the Air Force Flight Test Museum. Beside the prototype F-22 he regaled us with a tale of the time the nose gear fell off the F117 and after discussion with the tower and being advised to punch out, landed on the mains, held off the nose as long as possible, and slid safely to a halt although the strut was now a few inches shorter. He caught the shuttle down to Burbank and was called into Ben Rice's office to explain his actions, being met with a glower from the boss. "We have a complaint from the mechanic's union here, what's this about you doing unauthorized grinding on aircraft parts?" -followed by laughter and a handshake. He said it was the best wind-up anyone ever played on him. A modest and humble man, I was glad to get to meet him.
@Carbonsnail No, they aren't, and that event in particular required prior clearance to get access on base. I was a member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers at the time.
Just been watching a talk by Tom Morgenfeld about flying the F117 and this happened to him as well. Amazing coincidence, or was it, ......... doo doo-doo doo doo doo-doo doo .........something to do with A51............. ruclips.net/video/0sTsjQ_ud8E/видео.html
In 1984, VMFP-3 was still flying the RF4. One was flying off a carrier in the Philippine sea. On approach to the carrier his front gear did not drop. Waved off and told to punch out. The pilot said, "NO" the Marine Corps had no extras, no replacements. He did a carrier landing with nose gear. With very very limited damage.
A few years back I'm at one of the car shows I frequent. I got talking to a gentleman, he was a SWA retired Captain and retired AF. We got started talking about my grandfather who was a pilot in WW2. After some time I asked what he flew, he said F-15, A7, etc. I asked, did you ever go up against the Red Eagles? He got right in face, and firmly asked, How did you know about that? I said, I read it in a book. That opened a door, he told me he flew the F-117 up in Tonopah around the mid eighties. Before they were de-classified. Since I told him I read it in a book, I gave him a copy the next time I saw him. The book was, "America's Secret MiG Squadron" by G.R. Peck Jr. He browsed through the book with a big smile, looked up at me and told me there is faces and names in here I haven't thought of in 30 years. Then we went over to another friend of mine who was retired AF, and a current SWA Captain. They were going through it pointing out some of their seniors at SWA. It's interesting to think what the pilots flying your airliner may have gained experience in. And they are a great group of guys. My little story is my way of saying thanks for taking the time to make this video. You'll be glad to know my friend still tight lipped about the F-117, he was there, he flew it. He complains that the AF never sends out a, "you can talk about it" notice. :)
Thank you, Tycho, for your personal story. There are a lot of really great people who did amazing things. And you'd never know it because they don't talk about it.
I always look for the Jeppessen bag. A lot of those guys have stickers from the military days. Lots of A10 guys. I dont worry about the landing when I see that. Those guys can fly upside down and land backwards in the snow. I did fly to nantucket once and the pilot didnt know where the parking brake was on the little plane. No a10 sticker.
He’s my new hero. A real, down to earth guy who would be a great mentor to both young and old. He is a breath of fresh air amongst the ugliness of present day politics.
I’m 38 years old and my 3 favorite planes growing up were the F14 tomcat, F117, and SR71. I appreciate your service Hal and it was an honor to listen to you in this video speak of your experience.
Seriously! I have been in aviation since I was a teenager, flying and working on many types of aircraft. I have seen the F-117 fly a lot. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it flys. To get in and be the test pilot is a combination of knowing your skills and trusting the engineers who are better at math than you are.
I had the honor of meeting both you and your wife at church in Gloucester, Va. , around the year 2000. You gave me a tour of your beautiful sailing vessel. You are a highly intelligent individual and a true patriot. Thank you for your service to our country. May God continue to bless you and your family.
rotorheadv8 no one ever went to The moon.. And we can only do Low earth Orbit... we can’t get out of the dome.. earth is stationary And flat.. we are an enclosed System Just like A Green house.. waters Above Waters Below
@@seanmulholland7597 ummm, troll? Cause no way you can be into aviation and not know that even the sr71 can see the horizons curve... if the earth is stationary explain why stars move then. Explain day and night without rotation. Explain how we can see other planets line up with earth only at certain times? You make no sense saying dumbass comments.
Sean Mulholland is still getting paid in Rubles. But wait in this case, payroll managers are people still, and can make mistakes, they forgot it is a bot troll program that keeps getting paid in Rubles! :))
Harald Farley, I was in the USAF in the mid 1980s. When the program went public in the late 90s it was the talk of our squadron. Thanks for telling us this story. You did a great job explaining the development of the F117.
Hello Mr Farley, you ARE the consummate professional. I just thought I'd let you know that your bird, the '117 is still flying in the area surrounding it's original "remote test site". LAst report was in July 2019 where an F-117 was seen wearing "Aggressor" colours testing out a new "undisclosed pod" located on a NASA F-15D. They were seen both taking fuel from a KC-135 before heading off to a "remote test site". Your baby still flies, the F-117 out lasted the Space Shuttle by many years. I am envious of your days at Grumman and your time in the F-14, a talk on your experiences with the Tomcat would also be excellent.. I could listen to your stories for hours, you bring an excellent presentation along with such an excellent subject matter. Good day Sir, best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks for posting this! I absolutely love aviation and had my private license for years with several certificates. This guy is the epitome of a real test pilot. Humble with a great deal of confidence. He is cool under pressure. He has flown our best aircraft and still has a normal ego! To me, this was riveting and I will watch it again soon with my grandkids!
Thanks Hal. I did 20 years in the Air Force with the Minuteman missile. I was always enamored with the Skunk Works and its projects. Kelly Johnson was a genius and with guys like you in the test pilot seat I am sure the success of the airplanes was hastened. Thanks again.
My Grandfather was a test pilot for Raytheon when I was growing up. He was an amazing man of character, and I learned many life lessons from our discussions. He passed several years ago, and I sure do miss him. Listening to this interview made me feel like I was sitting across from dear old Grandad in the sun room, sipping coffee and picking his brain, which we did often. My generation sure could use a few more great men of character. Thanks for the content, and your service in and around American aviation. The world is a safer place because of men such as yourself.
I know it's been said over and over in the comment section, but it can't be said enough. Thank you for your service, and thank you for such an insightful interview regarding the F-117A.
What I love the most about this video it's the humility in him and how well they got along and you guys actually got to take your planes up anytime you wanted too man that must be awesome.
Great video. My dad was an F-117A pilot out at the Tonopah Test Range from 1988-1991. He would leave Monday and come home Friday. Saturday we could go boating on Lake Mead and then church on Sunday. As far as we new he was just flying A-7's. I remember feeling bad for him going from flying F-16s to flying the A-7. Haha. He we went on to fly and retire from the airlines and now he is flying for the US forest service in Alaska.
When I was a kid my dad use to work on them. And I thought they were ugly I liked the f4 phantom and the F-16. The F4 and the F-16 look more like what I thought airplanes should look like instead of a jet powered flying triangle but now that I'm older I see the genius
This guy seems like a really principled person. His comment about sharing the fun stuff with his peers when he could have taken it all for himself was really cool. What a great video, and great speaker! Thank you for sharing.
@Michael Jordan very intelligent and has a lot of great stories. We've known each other since we were kids, so I was there for a lot of them. As for his time at Skunkworks, he swore an oath to secrecy, to this day [despite the aircraft's retirement] he won't discuss it.
No matter how big, small, grandiose, or minuscule ... no matter if you're a household name, or just a random name on a payroll-sheet, his contributions to aviation do not go unnoticed. May your friend rest in peace.
@@GlobalistJuice he's in hospice, still alive. But I'm going to call him right now and let him know people besides myself appreciate his contributions. To all of you, thanks!
@@KowboyUSA , the secrecy on stealth is intense. It is still more advanced tech than many other nations have. That is why the F-117's are all sitting at Tonopah instead of Tucson. There are discussions on how they can "de-mil" them for use at museums and/or gate guards. Obviously, the shape is known so they aren't worried about that, but the paint is highly secretive and the question is what can they replace it with that looks the same, but protects the airframe without being the actual radar absorber.
I’ve loved the look of this aircraft since I first saw images of it. I must say I was surprised to learn about its unstable nature since it looked so cool. Many thanks to Mr. Farley and the F-117A team for your service and sacrifice, and to Mr. Farr for this feature.
Thank you for your service. I have a side story. My grandfather, J. Kenneth Hull, who was a president at Lockheed during the 50-60's, would not talk to me about the 'Works' (as he called it) when I asked him. He was not in the need to know chain he said. I still wonder about that to this day. I am now 64, and Grandpop (Ken was the name he went by) was the President of Lockeed Service Department, and was involved (incharge I beleave) in opening the Ontario Airport in CA, as well as getting the first order for fighter aircraft from the Japanese. He wrestled that order away from Grumman (as I recall) and made quite a name for himself at that time. Ontario was a originally just a Lockeed airplane service depot airport, which was opened eventually to US Postal Service, then UPS, and eventually the Los Angeles Airport took over as the overall authority at some point, and Lockheed withdrew its service department, and of course it became the full municipal airport it is today. I have fond memories of my grandparent home in the Upland Orange groves in the 60's that they kept until after his retirement. In the 60's. The moves to Newport Beach, and he and BILL PERRARA (architect/developer of The University California Irvine UCI) then started Air California which was the first commuter airline to fly out of the Orange County/John Wayne Airport to and from San Fransico in the 70's! I am a "Lockeed kid", and I was was allowed to go with my grandpop to a lot of different Lockheed facilities as a very young lad (sometimes in the helicopter he was provided as an executive). The 'Works was not one of them though....sigh. The corporation today is NOT (Lockheed/Martin) the company it was during the 40's through the 70's. I miss those days with Grandpop, and the admirable men I met that were 'Ken's Men'.
I had a remarkably similar experience re honesty early in my career in military aviation (that spanned operations & flight test) that involved a switch in the wrong position - and I swore afterwards I would never again lie about my actions. I later moved into flight test. In one project, my team was under great pressure to deliver a 'release to service' clearance - and it was made clear to me that honesty in post-flight debriefing and reporting was not what certain people wanted to hear. At moments like that, I always told myself that I was being paid for my opinions and that I didn't have shares in the company. I was simply the messenger. If you're less than honest, you aren't doing your job.
@@JB-jn9kb They understand, and they are afraid of beeing taken advantage of, or beeing ridiculed. Admitting to mistakes isn't encouraged, therefore i think humanity as a whole has a competative problem to overcome, before moving on to big stuff. Like colonizing the heavens.
So cool you got to actually work on the plane AND fly it. This compliment is usually reserved for military personnel, but it also very much applies to you, sir - Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice in terms of your home life and family for the development and testing of this strategic aircraft. There was nothing like it before or after and its unique and even bizarre shape is permanently etched in our memories and imagination. Bless you, Mr. Farley.
What a great guy. I love to hear the stories from people who worked on some of the country's most secretive projects. The F-117 Nighthawk is still my favorite fighter/bomber that the US has shown us to this date. There's something about it, more than the F-22, F-35, and B2 Spirit, that is just menacing looking, absolutely striking, and evokes emotion unlike any airplane I've seen. I have a 1100mm RC version of the plane, and it flies without gyro help. No sure why, but it flies like any other EDF powerplant RC jet, like my F-18, and B2 Spirit bomber. I would love to see a real F-117 Nighthawk fly. Thanks for sharing this, and to Hal Farley for sharing his experience and what he could regarding the project.
They're STILL flying F-117s in the Southwest. You just have to be living in Nevada or California when they fly overhead. They're using them to test technologies for the next war. 4 of the 5 F-117 prototypes are on display around the US. I think one of the prototypes was destroyed to demonstrate how they could get rid of the other planes once the USAF sees no absolute need for them. The surviving production planes (not being used for tests) are still in storage in their old hangars. When the time comes to dispose of them, it's going to be very expensive to get rid of them because of the stealth coatings. I don't even think it's a matter of national security so much as the material is VERY toxic. Those coatings are allegedly what gave a group of Lockheed workers working at Area 51 cancer. The material was not disposed of properly and they were exposed to burning material in fire pits that violated federal OSHA laws. THAT was the real reason Area 51's level of secrecy was raised in the 1990s, not anything about UFO's or MiG operations (which obviously happen because people see Russian planes flying overhead all the time, too). When the secrecy level was raised, it made impossible for the workers to sue the government or Lockheed.
Jarret, I've seen them fly many times, I've lived near Soesterberg Airbase in The Netherlands all my life. Could hear the difference between kinds of heli's and fighter jets. Even The sound of the F-117 was very different from more common jets like F-15 / F-16's. Did you know that the stealth bomber's techniques go back to 1935? Search on Horten. Anyways, what do you mean by 'gyro help'?
@@Miss_Numerous The real F-117 airframe needed input from its flight computers to fly correctly. But my RC model version flies pretty well without the use of an onboard gyroscope yet the airframe is the same shape, uses the same type of control surfaces. It's a model yes, but many airframes start as models. I just thought it was strange that I don't need the help of an RC gyro to stabilize my RC version of the F-117. Even my B2 Spirit RC needs the air-brake stabilizers on the wing ends to stabilize it during low speed flight, to prevent stall tumble, which the real airframe suffered from, both early on and more recent versions of the flying wing design. I envy anyone who's been fortunate enough to see and hear a real F-117 Nighthawk fly-by. So lucky.
Hi @@JarretLaMark, I've not forgotten you. Have been searching. Asking experts and searching an other example, but can't find it. And yes, got a little distracted by corona. And then the news; Pentagon releases 'things'. Any thoughts? I'll still be looking anything plausible on topic, trust me.
Wow I worked on the first F-117 experimental prototypes in burbank for Lockheed, and remember the name Hal Farley, but never got to meet the great man. But still lucky enough to have the awesome memories of those days way back then. Knew lots of people in Burbank, Palmdale, and out at Edwards on the Flight Test Team. My own father was a Cheif Flight Test Engineer at Edwards from back in the 60s during and after the bay of pigs. He passed away in 2017. All those guys out there were national heroes in those days. Did what a lot people thought would be impossible.
Thank you for doing this interview. True quality time on RUclips. Being in my earliest 50's as you can be and looking around, it's as if the more awesome the job, the calmer the guy would be. After only hearing the name Kelly Johnson and next watching him in documentaries about the U2 and SR-71 and finally (for the current time being) the F117a it's obvious he stands out, just like Wernher von Braun did. Brilliantly done with the ultra high level of secrecy, combined with the non-attention seeking externals so to speak. It corresponds with an old saying we have in Denmark: The one who lives quiet, lives well.
Mr. Farley, it's people like you that make me proud to be a American. F-4, F-14, are my favorite aircraft, I can literally stare at models of those aircraft and am in awe over the engineering. Thank you for your service.
Kelly Johnson will go down as one of the greatest engineers of all time. Let us not forget, that he made up the tooling and technology that went into the SR-71. Had he been in charge of the F-35 project, it would have been completed on time and on budget.
Do your researches: The SR-71 advanced visions and technologies were stolen from USSR, all the Americans did was to build the blueprints for such a plane ..
OrangeJackson he’s a morman, Have At It, You. Could Wife. #. 11 .. See This Guy Ain’t No Saint.. THATS A Fact.. He Seems All Humble & Nice Here.. Ask ALL His Wives How Nice He Is .. OH Wait,, There Not Allowed To Speak To ANYONE., There Also not allowed To Speak.. To Anyone.. Wanna Bet Me This..
Thanks for taking the time and effort to record, edit, and upload this! We need real life examples of great men like this for the younger generations to look up to.
Thx for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience. The plane you helped design and tested inspired a generation plus of both engineers and pilots. The F-117 was influential to me as an AF engineer that loved flight test. Some of the best years of my career are tied to the plane.
And it is a declassified picture because I had not seen that one around ever since they presented the F-117 to the press in 1987 .. Among many others pictures never revealed before !! Impressive ..
What a remarkable tale of the early days of the program. Thank you for your service and the memories of the program. I just wish more could have been said about Have Blue, sadly Bill Park passed some years ago. I have heard the presentation that Norm Dyson did regarding his and Bill's accident. He was so right to keep the helo up and ready when he ejected.
When you said "the Church" the way you did immediately realized you were LDS. Haha! I served a mission near Eglin AFB and another member who was somehow affiliated with Skunk Works had us over for dinner and I was memorized as he spoke about the SR-71. Thank you for your work!
I am a medical and aerospace engineer and LOVED this video. I was not expecting the snippet on your history of joining the LDS church. I like that, because i am a member as well. I have learned that we are all trying to get to get to the same dang place, just not at the same time haha. Its vital that we are compassionate to one another, especially now days with everything going on.
@@User-nu6km lol you can clearly tell he wanted to test fly them... its his fucking job for crying out loud, thats what they live and die for. And that F-117 was way more sketchy to test fly than a 22 or 35, yet he fought tooth and nail for that privilege/risk.
Great interview. It's a pleasure to listen to the man who has such a big amount of experience behind. Good job. With all the best wishes! [from Siberia]
Thank you sir, for all the work advancing flight systems, and for sharing some of your wonderful memories! Fascinating stuff for those of us outside such programs.
"Scramble Magazine is reporting that “Back in 2017, and not published by any other source so far, Scramble received very reliable information that at least four F-117s were deployed to the Middle East as an operational need emerged for the USAF to resurrect the stealth F-117 for special purposes." Very interesting if true.
Doesn't seem true, with the F-35 being cleared for combat by the USAF back in 2015 and the Raptor able to carry JDAM's, bringing back the F-117 seems pointless
Thank you for the video, great info. I was actually born during the month of the first test flight. I also was working the airshow at Martin state and witnessed the first F-117 crash during a demo flight. Thank you for your service, one of my favorite airplanes.
@@michaelcarrinton585 grew up mormon. now EXmormon. it's got good "values " but it's super easy to prove Smith the founder was a big scammer. look up NewNameNowa. or CES letter... I went to saltlake temple. been a accountant for three church the whole thing allways was a lie to get money honestly yes the teachings are good and a good chunk of the members are super kind but it's hard to over look stuff like Blood Atonement and how Utah has the highest suicide and Opioid addiction cases because they teach that if you stray away at all the only thing to look forward to is your death
Thanks Hal for all your work! The F-117 and B-1B were the two planes that I almost joined the USAF over. No way I woulda been allowed to fly the either but maybe I coulda been a back seater on the B-1B! Ego kept me from that and I regret that decision to not work hard to get to what woulda been required to be a flight crew on the bone! I remember watching the news about the operation in Panama where the news casters mentioned the use of the F-117, and also the more famous news footage of the FLIR/DLIR footage from the F-117 dropping bombs in Desert Storm! I was hooked on all info about the F-117 from that time on!
Just amazing...I could listen to this all day. I can't even imagine having the privilege of being a test pilot and getting to fly those planes. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I think this is often the case in "legitimate" (not lied about or made-up to sell something) UFO reports. Most of them are military test flights of new aircraft or high-performance aircraft. Also things go faster inside a jet-stream. But if you look at where most UFO reports are---out in the western USA desert and unpopulated regions, it makes perfect sense.
@@geroattack8094 People who are unable, or refuse to #understand or #comprehend the near infinite possibilities of human ingenuity in the aerospace industry, tend to gravitate to the oversimplified crap offered by religious zealotry and occultism. Explain the basics of orbital dynamics to them, their brains shuts off.
@@Rubin4749 Exactly. And FAA was told to have all control towers to do all handwritten reports of any unknown sightings of flying objects than to report them over the radio.
Wow! That captivated me altogether. Wonderful video. I have spent many many hours supporting flight test as a Structural Engineer (primarily V-22). Mr. Farley’s description of his time as a test pilot and all the issues associated with flight testing made me smile. God knows I’ve experienced my share. I have worked with some spectacular test pilots, and I’m pretty sure I would have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. Thanks for the video!
Hal or who ever made this video, thank you for the great interview and seeing the pictures once again. It was great working with Hal as a mechanic at the time and seeing him make that first flight. I don't know if Hal remembers me but am sure that if Dave was still alive and Tom will still remember me. But seeing that pic of the three of you together made my day as putting you great men in the seat many times made my 37 year career and half of that career was as flight test supervisor on the F117. Thanks Hal for making this video...Will forever remember the hero's you all were. Rick Madison...RickM117
Hello Rick, Thank you for taking the time to share your response. Hal monitors this channel from time to time and I am sure he will read your kind comment. John Farr
The real deal. In my career, I worked with flight test pilots a few times. The coolest, sharpest, and low key individuals. No hot shot braggarts. Typically the smartest guys in the room.
A friend fairly high up at NA Rockwell introduced me to the real bionic man. I met with him in his home several times as he recounted his fascinating life. I remember him as one of the most cordial and humble man I had ever known. (I think he was more plastic and metal than flesh and bone.)
@@orangelion03 Probably. Funny, I had remembered his name as David. Such is the way of faulty memory. His home was in Newport Beach, CA when I met with him in the late 1970s.
Ironically, we learned a lot from military programs which helped advances in all sorts of fields in the civilian world. Always been fascinated by Lockheed Martin’s work
We also learned a lot from the Nazis and the tests they did on live subjects. A lot of medical advances and military flight came about because of this. Its a fact that no one wants to talk about.
We had the pleasure of having two F-117’s out of Tonapagh two weeks ago here in Fresno Ca training with our 144TH Fighter Wing’s F-15’s. We had plane spotters as far as Salt Lake City here. Got some of the best pics I have ever taken and to have them at a Municipal Airport so close was amazing. One retired Skunk Works employee was here too Amazing Great video!!
After we won Desert Storm, George HW Bush had a large parade downtown DC, it was spectacular! Got to see the F-117 do a flyby, awesome bird! Well done documentary allowing the subject to do all the talking, excellent.
I enjoyed this interview. I remember back when artists rendering of what they thought the first Stealth Fighter was to look like, a pear shaped, and curved surface piece of science fiction at the time. As a kid, I had a model of it and when the real F-117 was revealed to the public, I was even more amazed at what Skunk Works had developed. Thanks for sharing this and relating your history in Skunk Works and how the program at Lockheed originated. I have family who flew F-14s and F-4s in the US Navy and were involved at Lockheed in the F-35 program and love to hear them talk when they share what they can.
@@AtheistOrphan The F-14 was a heck of a platform. I've a special place in my heart for Delta winged aircraft. The Tomcat's swing wing fits that bill when they are going all out.
While I'm not a particularly religious man I respect you for speaking about your beliefs. Most pilots I know are science brained, logical thinkers. The kind that don't believe it unless they see it. Whatever it was that caused you to choose the Mormon faith it must have been profound(or a woman) to go against that kind of momentum. Thanks for your service and for sharing your story.
Wow - seeing the picture of Hal, Tom Morgenfeld & Dave Ferguson sure brings back some great memories. I was at Rye Canyon from '84-87 and saw all these guys fly the simulators. They are true heroes.
What a fastinating career you had! I can definately see how you'd regret not taking the F-22 up 1st!!! Is a beautiful plane! Saw them when we landed on Oahu. Very sexy aircraft! The F-117 looks like you're flying a shaved brick in comparison!
Thank you sir for your service, hard work and sacrifices you & your family made to make our country the power house it is. Great job, you are an elite individual.
Great video I was fascinated with the F-117 and all the secret then to be released projects as a kid. It was such an interesting time to live. Love these stories.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful missions Im a Fashion photographer 15 years ago start photoshoot the Chicago Air Water Show the experience it's beyond words. I hope someday to convince my passion so I can publish my private collection of works!
This is GOLD, true lessons from a REAL HONORABLE MAN, Thank you Sir. I was lucky to see the F-117 in person back at El Toro many years ago (before they shut El Toro down); I was so impress by that Aircraft. Never forgot that day.
You know he is a good leader when he gives his team members once in a life time opportunities to be the first pilot to fly the YF-22 and X-35. Team player, great leader, strive to be this guy.
haha I wouldn’t mind being the second person ever to test an aircraft
Back in the '60's I was a cadet officer in the CAP. It was S. Flag. We had a lot of heavy Air Force brass as our Senior members were more mentors than instructirs.
At the time we were working on Project Blue Book doing on scene investagations.
Every once in awhile they would drop us a hint about Skunkworks. They were encouraging us to go pilot training with the possibility of flying these absolutely fantastic airplanes.
One can only imagine the joy of flying an F-117! But F-4's were no slouches for their time.
Interesting people like Hal Farley could talk and talk and you'd never hear enough. That interview was more than a half hour and it seemed like only 10 minutes. Very well done.
I've always wondered why some sitcoms mock the elderly who constantly talk about the war years, or as old Uncle Albert would say, 'back in the war',
I could listen to those folk all day, 👍
The A-7P, the ultimate secret weapon in the 80s!
All day, every day.
I remember volunteering at a retirement home (in the UK) about 25 years ago and spending nearly all my time listening to ex RAF pilots tell their WW2 stories. I loved it!
@@ImplodedAtom mo but.
Back in 2014 or so Hal gave a talk to the Antelope Valley SFTE and SETP at the Air Force Flight Test Museum. Beside the prototype F-22 he regaled us with a tale of the time the nose gear fell off the F117 and after discussion with the tower and being advised to punch out, landed on the mains, held off the nose as long as possible, and slid safely to a halt although the strut was now a few inches shorter.
He caught the shuttle down to Burbank and was called into Ben Rice's office to explain his actions, being met with a glower from the boss.
"We have a complaint from the mechanic's union here, what's this about you doing unauthorized grinding on aircraft parts?" -followed by laughter and a handshake. He said it was the best wind-up anyone ever played on him. A modest and humble man, I was glad to get to meet him.
@Carbonsnail No, they aren't, and that event in particular required prior clearance to get access on base. I was a member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers at the time.
Just been watching a talk by Tom Morgenfeld about flying the F117 and this happened to him as well. Amazing coincidence, or was it, ......... doo doo-doo doo doo doo-doo doo .........something to do with A51.............
ruclips.net/video/0sTsjQ_ud8E/видео.html
In 1984, VMFP-3 was still flying the RF4. One was flying off a carrier in the Philippine sea. On approach to the carrier his front gear did not drop. Waved off and told to punch out. The pilot said, "NO"
the Marine Corps had no extras, no replacements.
He did a carrier landing with nose gear. With very very limited damage.
That's a great story!
“Unauthorized grinding” Haha.
Silly Mormons.
The fact that this great man was the chief test pilot in this program speaks volumes. Thank you for your service sir.
A few years back I'm at one of the car shows I frequent. I got talking to a gentleman, he was a SWA retired Captain and retired AF. We got started talking about my grandfather who was a pilot in WW2. After some time I asked what he flew, he said F-15, A7, etc. I asked, did you ever go up against the Red Eagles? He got right in face, and firmly asked, How did you know about that? I said, I read it in a book. That opened a door, he told me he flew the F-117 up in Tonopah around the mid eighties. Before they were de-classified.
Since I told him I read it in a book, I gave him a copy the next time I saw him. The book was, "America's Secret MiG Squadron" by G.R. Peck Jr. He browsed through the book with a big smile, looked up at me and told me there is faces and names in here I haven't thought of in 30 years. Then we went over to another friend of mine who was retired AF, and a current SWA Captain. They were going through it pointing out some of their seniors at SWA. It's interesting to think what the pilots flying your airliner may have gained experience in.
And they are a great group of guys.
My little story is my way of saying thanks for taking the time to make this video.
You'll be glad to know my friend still tight lipped about the F-117, he was there, he flew it. He complains that the AF never sends out a, "you can talk about it" notice. :)
Thank you, Tycho, for your personal story. There are a lot of really great people who did amazing things. And you'd never know it because they don't talk about it.
Well you just did I guess
You
Didn’t get the memo
Thanks for sharing this!
My dad some of the same sorta stories. He was involved with the topaz satellites many years ago.
I always look for the Jeppessen bag. A lot of those guys have stickers from the military days. Lots of A10 guys. I dont worry about the landing when I see that. Those guys can fly upside down and land backwards in the snow. I did fly to nantucket once and the pilot didnt know where the parking brake was on the little plane. No a10 sticker.
He’s my new hero. A real, down to earth guy who would be a great mentor to both young and old. He is a breath of fresh air amongst the ugliness of present day politics.
Hal, great job. It was an honor working with you and Tom and Dave. F-117 FTE
I’m 38 years old and my 3 favorite planes growing up were the F14 tomcat, F117, and SR71. I appreciate your service Hal and it was an honor to listen to you in this video speak of your experience.
What a modest and low-key guy. You would never know he had balls of steel.
I know Jon S Beesley the Air Force Pilot he showed. He is very similar. Mostly quiet but man was he super nice and funny and incredibly smart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️WRONG!!!!! He has balls of Unobtainium!⭐️⭐️⭐️
@@homefront3162 His cojones are what added ballast to the nose of the F-117.
No kidding, wonder they didn't have to add lead to the rear of the aircraft given the immense size and immense weight of this guys balls!
Seriously! I have been in aviation since I was a teenager, flying and working on many types of aircraft. I have seen the F-117 fly a lot. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it flys. To get in and be the test pilot is a combination of knowing your skills and trusting the engineers who are better at math than you are.
I had the honor of meeting both you and your wife at church in Gloucester, Va. , around the year 2000. You gave me a tour of your beautiful sailing vessel. You are a highly intelligent individual and a true patriot. Thank you for your service to our country. May God continue to bless you and your family.
get a room!!
@@SandyCrinklesack get a life.
@@utecastronoova863 yeah you will need both
Best 32 min I have spent in a long time. THANKS
You're one of the men on whose backs this country was built. Thank you.
You don’t fool us, Hal. You are a superb pilot. Top 1% of the 1%. You rate up there with the guys who went into space and to the moon.
rotorheadv8 no one ever went to
The moon..
And we can only do
Low earth
Orbit... we can’t get out of the dome.. earth is stationary
And flat.. we are an enclosed
System
Just like
A
Green house.. waters
Above
Waters
Below
@@seanmulholland7597 waters in your brain....
@@seanmulholland7597 ummm, troll? Cause no way you can be into aviation and not know that even the sr71 can see the horizons curve... if the earth is stationary explain why stars move then. Explain day and night without rotation. Explain how we can see other planets line up with earth only at certain times? You make no sense saying dumbass comments.
Sean Mulholland is still getting paid in Rubles. But wait in this case, payroll managers are people still, and can make mistakes, they forgot it is a bot troll program that keeps getting paid in Rubles! :))
Harald Farley, I was in the USAF in the mid 1980s. When the program went public in the late 90s it was the talk of our squadron. Thanks for telling us this story. You did a great job explaining the development of the F117.
tech nician - The project went public in 1988, not the late 90s. Plenty of film of it the 1st gulf war in 1991
Hello Mr Farley, you ARE the consummate professional. I just thought I'd let you know that your bird, the '117 is still flying in the area surrounding it's original "remote test site". LAst report was in July 2019 where an F-117 was seen wearing "Aggressor" colours testing out a new "undisclosed pod" located on a NASA F-15D. They were seen both taking fuel from a KC-135 before heading off to a "remote test site". Your baby still flies, the F-117 out lasted the Space Shuttle by many years. I am envious of your days at Grumman and your time in the F-14, a talk on your experiences with the Tomcat would also be excellent.. I could listen to your stories for hours, you bring an excellent presentation along with such an excellent subject matter. Good day Sir, best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks for posting this! I absolutely love aviation and had my private license for years with several certificates. This guy is the epitome of a real test pilot. Humble with a great deal of confidence. He is cool under pressure. He has flown our best aircraft and still has a normal ego! To me, this was riveting and I will watch it again soon with my grandkids!
Thanks Hal. I did 20 years in the Air Force with the Minuteman missile. I was always enamored with the Skunk Works and its projects. Kelly Johnson was a genius and with guys like you in the test pilot seat I am sure the success of the airplanes was hastened. Thanks again.
My Grandfather was a test pilot for Raytheon when I was growing up. He was an amazing man of character, and I learned many life lessons from our discussions. He passed several years ago, and I sure do miss him. Listening to this interview made me feel like I was sitting across from dear old Grandad in the sun room, sipping coffee and picking his brain, which we did often. My generation sure could use a few more great men of character. Thanks for the content, and your service in and around American aviation. The world is a safer place because of men such as yourself.
I know it's been said over and over in the comment section, but it can't be said enough. Thank you for your service, and thank you for such an insightful interview regarding the F-117A.
What I love the most about this video it's the humility in him and how well they got along and you guys actually got to take your planes up anytime you wanted too man that must be awesome.
Great video.
My dad was an F-117A pilot out at the Tonopah Test Range from 1988-1991. He would leave Monday and come home Friday. Saturday we could go boating on Lake Mead and then church on Sunday. As far as we new he was just flying A-7's. I remember feeling bad for him going from flying F-16s to flying the A-7. Haha. He we went on to fly and retire from the airlines and now he is flying for the US forest service in Alaska.
A great professional. He talks about honesty, integrity, leadership. Just an all-around good guy.
Definitely a walk through memory lane. Although I never met Mr. Farley I worked with Ken (Dr. Stuart) for many years and worked on the F-117 displays.
When i was a kid, i had many models of the F-117. I still love the design 20 years later :D
When I was a kid my dad use to work on them. And I thought they were ugly I liked the f4 phantom and the F-16. The F4 and the F-16 look more like what I thought airplanes should look like instead of a jet powered flying triangle but now that I'm older I see the genius
@@marvinmarvin6672 - Oh nice! I was the opposite i guess. I liked planes, but the "weird" looking ones^^
Finally, a straight to the point documentary. Thank you America
This guy seems like a really principled person. His comment about sharing the fun stuff with his peers when he could have taken it all for himself was really cool. What a great video, and great speaker! Thank you for sharing.
A very close friend who's in hospice on his last leg was one of the Skunkworks machinists who made parts for the first F-117s.
The man that was instrumental in my family's move to the USA was a wind tunnel model maker for Lockheed. His last project before retiring was the 117.
@Michael Jordan very intelligent and has a lot of great stories. We've known each other since we were kids, so I was there for a lot of them. As for his time at Skunkworks, he swore an oath to secrecy, to this day [despite the aircraft's retirement] he won't discuss it.
No matter how big, small, grandiose, or minuscule ... no matter if you're a household name, or just a random name on a payroll-sheet, his contributions to aviation do not go unnoticed.
May your friend rest in peace.
@@GlobalistJuice he's in hospice, still alive. But I'm going to call him right now and let him know people besides myself appreciate his contributions. To all of you, thanks!
@@KowboyUSA , the secrecy on stealth is intense. It is still more advanced tech than many other nations have. That is why the F-117's are all sitting at Tonopah instead of Tucson. There are discussions on how they can "de-mil" them for use at museums and/or gate guards. Obviously, the shape is known so they aren't worried about that, but the paint is highly secretive and the question is what can they replace it with that looks the same, but protects the airframe without being the actual radar absorber.
It must be an overwhelming feeling to have made/changed history, you sir have! Thank you for your service!
Being ex-navy, lds, and an engineer, this video really hits home for me. Thanks Hal! You’re my hero!
I’ve loved the look of this aircraft since I first saw images of it. I must say I was surprised to learn about its unstable nature since it looked so cool. Many thanks to Mr. Farley and the F-117A team for your service and sacrifice, and to Mr. Farr for this feature.
Thank you for your service.
I have a side story.
My grandfather, J. Kenneth Hull, who was a president at Lockheed during the 50-60's, would not talk to me about the 'Works' (as he called it) when I asked him. He was not in the need to know chain he said. I still wonder about that to this day. I am now 64, and Grandpop (Ken was the name he went by) was the President of Lockeed Service Department, and was involved (incharge I beleave) in opening the Ontario Airport in CA, as well as getting the first order for fighter aircraft from the Japanese. He wrestled that order away from Grumman (as I recall) and made quite a name for himself at that time. Ontario was a originally just a Lockeed airplane service depot airport, which was opened eventually to US Postal Service, then UPS, and eventually the Los Angeles Airport took over as the overall authority at some point, and Lockheed withdrew its service department, and of course it became the full municipal airport it is today.
I have fond memories of my grandparent home in the Upland Orange groves in the 60's that they kept until after his retirement. In the 60's. The moves to Newport Beach, and he and BILL PERRARA (architect/developer of The University California Irvine UCI) then started Air California which was the first commuter airline to fly out of the Orange County/John Wayne Airport to and from San Fransico in the 70's!
I am a "Lockeed kid", and I was was allowed to go with my grandpop to a lot of different Lockheed facilities as a very young lad (sometimes in the helicopter he was provided as an executive). The 'Works was not one of them though....sigh.
The corporation today is NOT (Lockheed/Martin) the company it was during the 40's through the 70's. I miss those days with Grandpop, and the admirable men I met that were 'Ken's Men'.
WALLY SPACED thanks for the post!
the world needs a few good man like Hal. I can listen to him non-stop, very humble gentleman.
Thank you Hal Farley, you are the reason America's Air Force, Navy, Marines are the best in the whole world, God Bless you for all your hard work.
Oh what, the Army sucks?
Also men from a Tuskegee Alabama outfit that never lost a single bird they escorted............
Thank you Hal. It's because of guys like you that me,my children and their children are safe and free. Thank you for your service👍
I like that message of honesty, it works well anywhere, anytime, zero exceptions.
I live my life by it. To bad 80% of my coworkers can't seem to understand that concept!
I had a remarkably similar experience re honesty early in my career in military aviation (that spanned operations & flight test) that involved a switch in the wrong position - and I swore afterwards I would never again lie about my actions. I later moved into flight test. In one project, my team was under great pressure to deliver a 'release to service' clearance - and it was made clear to me that honesty in post-flight debriefing and reporting was not what certain people wanted to hear. At moments like that, I always told myself that I was being paid for my opinions and that I didn't have shares in the company. I was simply the messenger. If you're less than honest, you aren't doing your job.
@@JB-jn9kb They understand, and they are afraid of beeing taken advantage of, or beeing ridiculed. Admitting to mistakes isn't encouraged, therefore i think humanity as a whole has a competative problem to overcome, before moving on to big stuff. Like colonizing the heavens.
So cool you got to actually work on the plane AND fly it. This compliment is usually reserved for military personnel, but it also very much applies to you, sir - Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice in terms of your home life and family for the development and testing of this strategic aircraft. There was nothing like it before or after and its unique and even bizarre shape is permanently etched in our memories and imagination. Bless you, Mr. Farley.
What a great guy. I love to hear the stories from people who worked on some of the country's most secretive projects. The F-117 Nighthawk is still my favorite fighter/bomber that the US has shown us to this date. There's something about it, more than the F-22, F-35, and B2 Spirit, that is just menacing looking, absolutely striking, and evokes emotion unlike any airplane I've seen. I have a 1100mm RC version of the plane, and it flies without gyro help. No sure why, but it flies like any other EDF powerplant RC jet, like my F-18, and B2 Spirit bomber. I would love to see a real F-117 Nighthawk fly. Thanks for sharing this, and to Hal Farley for sharing his experience and what he could regarding the project.
They're STILL flying F-117s in the Southwest. You just have to be living in Nevada or California when they fly overhead. They're using them to test technologies for the next war.
4 of the 5 F-117 prototypes are on display around the US. I think one of the prototypes was destroyed to demonstrate how they could get rid of the other planes once the USAF sees no absolute need for them. The surviving production planes (not being used for tests) are still in storage in their old hangars. When the time comes to dispose of them, it's going to be very expensive to get rid of them because of the stealth coatings. I don't even think it's a matter of national security so much as the material is VERY toxic. Those coatings are allegedly what gave a group of Lockheed workers working at Area 51 cancer. The material was not disposed of properly and they were exposed to burning material in fire pits that violated federal OSHA laws. THAT was the real reason Area 51's level of secrecy was raised in the 1990s, not anything about UFO's or MiG operations (which obviously happen because people see Russian planes flying overhead all the time, too). When the secrecy level was raised, it made impossible for the workers to sue the government or Lockheed.
Jarret, I've seen them fly many times, I've lived near Soesterberg Airbase in The Netherlands all my life. Could hear the difference between kinds of heli's and fighter jets. Even The sound of the F-117 was very different from more common jets like F-15 / F-16's. Did you know that the stealth bomber's techniques go back to 1935? Search on Horten. Anyways, what do you mean by 'gyro help'?
@@Miss_Numerous The real F-117 airframe needed input from its flight computers to fly correctly. But my RC model version flies pretty well without the use of an onboard gyroscope yet the airframe is the same shape, uses the same type of control surfaces. It's a model yes, but many airframes start as models. I just thought it was strange that I don't need the help of an RC gyro to stabilize my RC version of the F-117. Even my B2 Spirit RC needs the air-brake stabilizers on the wing ends to stabilize it during low speed flight, to prevent stall tumble, which the real airframe suffered from, both early on and more recent versions of the flying wing design.
I envy anyone who's been fortunate enough to see and hear a real F-117 Nighthawk fly-by. So lucky.
@@AvengerII Very interesting info here. Thanks.
Hi @@JarretLaMark, I've not forgotten you. Have been searching. Asking experts and searching an other example, but can't find it. And yes, got a little distracted by corona.
And then the news; Pentagon releases 'things'. Any thoughts?
I'll still be looking anything plausible on topic, trust me.
Wow I worked on the first F-117 experimental prototypes in burbank for Lockheed, and remember the name Hal Farley, but never got to meet the great man. But still lucky enough to have the awesome memories of those days way back then. Knew lots of people in Burbank, Palmdale, and out at Edwards on the Flight Test Team. My own father was a Cheif Flight Test Engineer at Edwards from back in the 60s during and after the bay of pigs. He passed away in 2017. All those guys out there were national heroes in those days. Did what a lot people thought would be impossible.
Thank you for doing this interview. True quality time on RUclips.
Being in my earliest 50's as you can be and looking around, it's as if the more awesome the job, the calmer the guy would be.
After only hearing the name Kelly Johnson and next watching him in documentaries about the U2 and SR-71 and finally (for the current time being) the F117a it's obvious he stands out, just like Wernher von Braun did.
Brilliantly done with the ultra high level of secrecy, combined with the non-attention seeking externals so to speak.
It corresponds with an old saying we have in Denmark: The one who lives quiet, lives well.
Mr. Farley, it's people like you that make me proud to be a American. F-4, F-14, are my favorite aircraft, I can literally stare at models of those aircraft and am in awe over the engineering. Thank you for your service.
Kelly Johnson will go down as one of the greatest engineers of all time. Let us not forget, that he made up the tooling and technology that went into the SR-71. Had he been in charge of the F-35 project, it would have been completed on time and on budget.
But his rule says no navy work.... so he wouldn’t have done it
Do your researches: The SR-71 advanced visions and technologies were stolen from USSR, all the Americans did was to build the blueprints for such a plane ..
@@topfitnessssss what about the A12 then? how does that fit into your narrative?
@@topfitnessssss "They stole high tech spy plane blueprints from the USSR!"
Russia today: still flying the Bear to gather intelligence.
Never heard of him
Humble, respectful and immensely talented. What a great video, really enjoyed watching it.
Man, this guy is squared away. I wish there were men like this in my life.
These are the kind of men at the upper echelons of the military. All serious, dedicated and very decent men. Great role models for sure.
Maybe man like this doesn’t want someone like you in their life.
@@meme-bz6iw Maybe that is so, meme but something tells me you are not a good man.
OrangeJackson he’s a morman, Have At It, You. Could Wife. #. 11 .. See This Guy Ain’t No Saint.. THATS A Fact.. He Seems All Humble & Nice Here.. Ask ALL His Wives How Nice He Is .. OH Wait,, There Not Allowed To Speak To ANYONE., There Also not allowed To Speak.. To Anyone.. Wanna Bet Me This..
@@meme-bz6iw dunno but one thing's for sure: nobody wants you in their life.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to record, edit, and upload this! We need real life examples of great men like this for the younger generations to look up to.
Thanks so much for your service, Hal Farley! Appreciate you!
Thx for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience. The plane you helped design and tested inspired a generation plus of both engineers and pilots. The F-117 was influential to me as an AF engineer that loved flight test. Some of the best years of my career are tied to the plane.
They must have had some good carpenters at the Skunk Works; that wooden mockup at 8:35 looks quite charming.
I know right!
charming? silly boy
@@homefront3162 You don't appreciate good cabinetmaking?
And it is a declassified picture because I had not seen that one around ever since they presented the F-117 to the press in 1987 .. Among many others pictures never revealed before !! Impressive ..
Homefront Impressive respons, I’m pretty sure we are all in awe.
Captivating details. A career filled with excitement, performed with style, grace and an abundance of intellect. Thank you for your service!
What a remarkable tale of the early days of the program. Thank you for your service and the memories of the program. I just wish more could have been said about Have Blue, sadly Bill Park passed some years ago. I have heard the presentation that Norm Dyson did regarding his and Bill's accident. He was so right to keep the helo up and ready when he ejected.
Pm me
x 29Lives x What did you need?
I can reply in more detail. PM me.
x 29Lives x I sent you a message in Hangouts and added you to G+
What a legend. I have MASSIVE amounts of respects for test pilots.
When you said "the Church" the way you did immediately realized you were LDS. Haha! I served a mission near Eglin AFB and another member who was somehow affiliated with Skunk Works had us over for dinner and I was memorized as he spoke about the SR-71. Thank you for your work!
I live outside the gate of Eglin Afb 35 years here you are all awesome
I did my AFJROTC Book
report on the SR-71 at the AF Museum
@@chasaaron That's awesome! I really miss Niceville and ValP. Great areas with great people!
I am a medical and aerospace engineer and LOVED this video. I was not expecting the snippet on your history of joining the LDS church. I like that, because i am a member as well. I have learned that we are all trying to get to get to the same dang place, just not at the same time haha. Its vital that we are compassionate to one another, especially now days with everything going on.
Allowing two other pilots to have first flights says more about the interviewee than anything else he said.
maybe he didnt want to die in it first
@@User-nu6km stfup bitch
@@User-nu6km lol you can clearly tell he wanted to test fly them... its his fucking job for crying out loud, thats what they live and die for. And that F-117 was way more sketchy to test fly than a 22 or 35, yet he fought tooth and nail for that privilege/risk.
@@User-nu6km Lol nobody here could spot a joke if their life depended on it
@@suchgr8hieghts I think he was joking bro
Great interview. It's a pleasure to listen to the man who has such a big amount of experience behind. Good job. With all the best wishes! [from Siberia]
Fascinating stuff. Thank you, sir, for your service and contributions to the United States. Salute!
Thank you sir, for all the work advancing flight systems, and for sharing some of your wonderful memories! Fascinating stuff for those of us outside such programs.
I would love to hear about the f-14 flight testing. Cool video! Thanks for providing this info.
"Scramble Magazine is reporting that “Back in 2017, and not published by any other source so far, Scramble received very reliable information that at least four F-117s were deployed to the Middle East as an operational need emerged for the USAF to resurrect the stealth F-117 for special purposes." Very interesting if true.
Doesn't seem true, with the F-35 being cleared for combat by the USAF back in 2015 and the Raptor able to carry JDAM's, bringing back the F-117 seems pointless
Thank you for the video, great info. I was actually born during the month of the first test flight. I also was working the airshow at Martin state and witnessed the first F-117 crash during a demo flight. Thank you for your service, one of my favorite airplanes.
Cool to see the test flight footage. Brings back some good memories from my time on F-117.
What a fantastic guy - a true gent! It's not often I stay till the end of a video, but this was one of them. Peace and respect from the UK :)
US Government: we want a jet fighter in 5 months
Kelly Johnson: ok
He’s spinning in his grave right now.
There’s a lot of valuable advice coming out of this mans mouth!!!
Yes there is. I hope enough people listen.
Up until he says the words "Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day-saints"
What's wrong with that? It's his choice. I knew Mormon in the Marine Corps.
@@michaelcarrinton585 grew up mormon. now EXmormon. it's got good "values " but it's super easy to prove Smith the founder was a big scammer. look up NewNameNowa. or CES letter...
I went to saltlake temple. been a accountant for three church the whole thing allways was a lie to get money
honestly yes the teachings are good and a good chunk of the members are super kind but it's hard to over look stuff like Blood Atonement and how Utah has the highest suicide and Opioid addiction cases because they teach that if you stray away at all the only thing to look forward to is your death
Thanks so much for the story, Hal. What a milestone in engineering. What a milestone in history.
Terrific interview with great insight into the workings of Skunk Works, at least in the earlier days.
Thanks Hal for all your work! The F-117 and B-1B were the two planes that I almost joined the USAF over. No way I woulda been allowed to fly the either but maybe I coulda been a back seater on the B-1B! Ego kept me from that and I regret that decision to not work hard to get to what woulda been required to be a flight crew on the bone! I remember watching the news about the operation in Panama where the news casters mentioned the use of the F-117, and also the more famous news footage of the FLIR/DLIR footage from the F-117 dropping bombs in Desert Storm! I was hooked on all info about the F-117 from that time on!
It's the first time I heard a test pilot describe flying a top-secret aircraft so detailed. "UFO sighting"? Hell no..they were the UFO's lol
Wow, to engineer an entire aircraft within 4 months is incredible. It took me 6 months to develop a single bracket...
Richard, is that you???
Just amazing...I could listen to this all day. I can't even imagine having the privilege of being a test pilot and getting to fly those planes. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
“I didn’t have any UFO sighting”
Yeah, you were the UFOs 😂
I think this is often the case in "legitimate" (not lied about or made-up to sell something) UFO reports. Most of them are military test flights of new aircraft or high-performance aircraft. Also things go faster inside a jet-stream. But if you look at where most UFO reports are---out in the western USA desert and unpopulated regions, it makes perfect sense.
The truth is we don't know. I want to believe but we all just don't know
@@michaelruiz1103 man you talk as if it is a religion or something.
@@geroattack8094 People who are unable, or refuse to #understand or #comprehend the near infinite possibilities of human ingenuity in the aerospace industry, tend to gravitate to the oversimplified crap offered by religious zealotry and occultism.
Explain the basics of orbital dynamics to them, their brains shuts off.
@@Rubin4749 Exactly. And FAA was told to have all control towers to do all handwritten reports of any unknown sightings of flying objects than to report them over the radio.
Wow! That captivated me altogether. Wonderful video.
I have spent many many hours supporting flight test as a Structural Engineer (primarily V-22). Mr. Farley’s description of his time as a
test pilot and all the issues associated with flight testing made me smile. God knows I’ve experienced my share.
I have worked with some spectacular test pilots, and I’m pretty sure I would have thoroughly enjoyed working with him.
Thanks for the video!
Hal or who ever made this video, thank you for the great interview and seeing the pictures once again. It was great working with Hal as a mechanic at the time and seeing him make that first flight. I don't know if Hal remembers me but am sure that if Dave was still alive and Tom will still remember me. But seeing that pic of the three of you together made my day as putting you great men in the seat many times made my 37 year career and half of that career was as flight test supervisor on the F117. Thanks Hal for making this video...Will forever remember the hero's you all were. Rick Madison...RickM117
Hello Rick, Thank you for taking the time to share your response. Hal monitors this channel from time to time and I am sure he will read your kind comment. John Farr
The real deal. In my career, I worked with flight test pilots a few times. The coolest, sharpest, and low key individuals. No hot shot braggarts. Typically the smartest guys in the room.
A friend fairly high up at NA Rockwell introduced me to the real bionic man. I met with him in his home several times as he recounted his fascinating life. I remember him as one of the most cordial and humble man I had ever known. (I think he was more plastic and metal than flesh and bone.)
@@MrLikeke Bruce Peterson?
@@orangelion03 Probably. Funny, I had remembered his name as David. Such is the way of faulty memory. His home was in Newport Beach, CA when I met with him in the late 1970s.
Loved hearing this insight!!!! Thanks for your service testing these beasts that Skunk Works creates!!!!
Ironically, we learned a lot from military programs which helped advances in all sorts of fields in the civilian world. Always been fascinated by Lockheed Martin’s work
We also learned a lot from the Nazis and the tests they did on live subjects. A lot of medical advances and military flight came about because of this. Its a fact that no one wants to talk about.
Thankyou. Understated stories are always the best stories to listen to. This is one of the finest.
This was just absolutely fascinating to me. Thank you so very much for posting this.
What a good guy- I'm just a lowly carpenter / small business owner but I treat my co-workers and homeowners with respect and honesty.
Always great to listen to those people behind a program! Very interesting interview!
We had the pleasure of having two F-117’s out of Tonapagh two weeks ago here in Fresno Ca training with our 144TH Fighter Wing’s F-15’s. We had plane spotters as far as Salt Lake City here. Got some of the best pics I have ever taken and to have them at a Municipal Airport so close was amazing.
One retired Skunk Works employee was here too
Amazing
Great video!!
Thank you for watching and commenting!
After we won Desert Storm, George HW Bush had a large parade downtown DC, it was spectacular! Got to see the F-117 do a flyby, awesome bird! Well done documentary allowing the subject to do all the talking, excellent.
I just met Hal today when i came out to fix his heat pump. Honestly such a cool dude
I enjoyed this interview. I remember back when artists rendering of what they thought the first Stealth Fighter was to look like, a pear shaped, and curved surface piece of science fiction at the time. As a kid, I had a model of it and when the real F-117 was revealed to the public, I was even more amazed at what Skunk Works had developed. Thanks for sharing this and relating your history in Skunk Works and how the program at Lockheed originated. I have family who flew F-14s and F-4s in the US Navy and were involved at Lockheed in the F-35 program and love to hear them talk when they share what they can.
WesternBlood - Iranian F-14 pilots have some amazing stories.
@@AtheistOrphan The F-14 was a heck of a platform. I've a special place in my heart for Delta winged aircraft. The Tomcat's swing wing fits that bill when they are going all out.
WesternBlood - Was? Still is my friend. Still flying with the IIAF 🇮🇷. The Iranian pilots regard it highly.
This guy could teach youngsters (and oldsters) so much. Thanks.
While I'm not a particularly religious man I respect you for speaking about your beliefs. Most pilots I know are science brained, logical thinkers. The kind that don't believe it unless they see it. Whatever it was that caused you to choose the Mormon faith it must have been profound(or a woman) to go against that kind of momentum.
Thanks for your service and for sharing your story.
Wow - seeing the picture of Hal, Tom Morgenfeld & Dave Ferguson sure brings back some great memories. I was at Rye Canyon from '84-87 and saw all these guys fly the simulators. They are true heroes.
Thank you sir I learned a lot about the program that I haven’t heard anywhere else before. But most importantly your story which was inspiring.
Excellent video and an even greater story, Mr. Farley. Thanks for your service!
Thank you sir, both for your service to the country and for providing this very interesting perspective.
Fantastic documentary, many thanks! Highly informative to hear Mr Harley speak and explain how and why things were done. Excellent work!
What a fastinating career you had! I can definately see how you'd regret not taking the F-22 up 1st!!! Is a beautiful plane! Saw them when we landed on Oahu. Very sexy aircraft!
The F-117 looks like you're flying a shaved brick in comparison!
Amazing Vlog! one of the best things I have seen on the Tube! Its great that the story is not Classified and can be shared. Thank You!
Thank you sir for your service, hard work and sacrifices you & your family made to make our country the power house it is. Great job, you are an elite individual.
Great video I was fascinated with the F-117 and all the secret then to be released projects as a kid. It was such an interesting time to live. Love these stories.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful missions Im a Fashion photographer 15 years ago start photoshoot the Chicago Air Water Show the experience it's beyond words. I hope someday
to convince my passion so I can publish my private collection of works!
My stepdad is Lyle Armstrong, who worked at Lockheed for years and years as an engineer. Great stories from him about how it used to be done!
This was an extremely interesting interview. I've read the Ben Rich Skunk Works memoir, and this video was a nice addition.
I had the honor of working with this F-117A project for eight years (1984 - 1992) at the Tonopah Test Range.....Fantastic project....
This is GOLD, true lessons from a REAL HONORABLE MAN, Thank you Sir. I was lucky to see the F-117 in person back at El Toro many years ago (before they shut El Toro down); I was so impress by that Aircraft. Never forgot that day.
Semper fi mam.
My dad worked at Grumman on the Lunar Module, F-14 and A-6 from 65 to 78. I wonder if he knew Hal? Excellent video.