Background
Merrifield, John Thomas was born on February 14, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Son of Alton Leo and Meta (Uecker) Merrifield.
aerospace researcher aviation safety inspector
Merrifield, John Thomas was born on February 14, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Son of Alton Leo and Meta (Uecker) Merrifield.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science, Trinity University, San Antonio, 1968. Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1976. Postgraduate, United States Air Force Officer Training School.
Research chemical engineer Research Laboratories, Texaco Inc., Port Arthur, Texas, 1968—1969. Commissioned 2nd lieutenant United States Air Force, 1970, advanced through grades to major, 1982. Aircraft Commander, instructor 41st Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, 1971—1975.
Senior controller command post 437th Military Airlift Wing, 1973—1975. Aircraft Commander 1400 Military Aircraft Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, 1977—1980. Research astronautical engineer United States Air Force School Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, 1977—1982.
Project manager, principal investigator,numerous research projects, Commander, operations officer, pilot 19th group Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol, 1978—1981. Assistant operations officer 6512 Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1982—1984. Flight instructor, 1982—1985.
Co-owner Blue Max Aviation, San Antonio, 1982—1985. President Texas Flight Research Institute, since 1982. Avionics editor Aviation Week and Space Technology, 1985—1986.
Aircraft battle damage repairs engineer United States Air Force Reserve, since 1986. Aviation safety inspector Federal Aviation Administration, since 1987.
Member of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (technical committee member, aircraft operations), Air Force Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Air Force Institute of Technology Association Graduates, Aerospace Medical Association, Order Daedalians.
Married Margarita Merrifield. Children: John Patrick, Kris Vaughan.