Doug Shane
Encyclopedia
Douglas B. Shane is an American test pilot
and has trained as a commercial astronaut
. He was a member of the Scaled Composites
astronaut team and one of the test pilots for SpaceShipOne, the experimental spaceplane
developed by Scaled Composites. Shane worked as the operations director on the SpaceShipOne project in addition to being one of the craft's astronaut pilots.
degree in aerospace engineering
from the University of Kansas
in 1982. That same year, Shane joined Scaled Composites in Mojave, California as a test pilot.
Shane designed a new model of single-engine, fixed wing airplane — the Shane Runabout — in 1988.
In 1997, Shane received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award
from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
for his flight test work on the Williams V-Jet II
and Vision Aire Vantage. He is currently the president-elect of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
qualification flights of the craft in 2004. Instead, as director of flight operations, he supervised the flights from the control room.
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
and has trained as a commercial astronaut
Commercial Astronaut
A commercial astronaut is a person trained to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a privately funded spacecraft.-Criteria:The criteria for determining who has achieved human spaceflight vary. The FAI defines spaceflight as any flight over of altitude...
. He was a member of the Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States...
astronaut team and one of the test pilots for SpaceShipOne, the experimental spaceplane
Spaceplane
A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that...
developed by Scaled Composites. Shane worked as the operations director on the SpaceShipOne project in addition to being one of the craft's astronaut pilots.
Personal
Shane received a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
from the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in 1982. That same year, Shane joined Scaled Composites in Mojave, California as a test pilot.
Shane designed a new model of single-engine, fixed wing airplane — the Shane Runabout — in 1988.
In 1997, Shane received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award
Iven C. Kincheloe Award
The Iven C. Kincheloe Award recognizes outstanding professional accomplishment in the conduct of flight testing. It was established in 1958 by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and honors the memory of test pilot and Korean War ace Iven C...
from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
The Society of Experimental Test Pilots is an international organization that seeks to promote air safety and contributes to aeronautical advancement by promoting sound aeronautical design and development; interchanging ideas, thoughts and suggestions of the members, assisting in the professional...
for his flight test work on the Williams V-Jet II
Williams V-Jet II
The Williams V-Jet II was designed and built by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites for Williams International as a test bed and demonstrator aircraft for Williams' new FJX-2 turbofan engine.- Development :...
and Vision Aire Vantage. He is currently the president-elect of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Scaled Composite career
Shane joined Scaled as a founding member in 1982. Since 1989, he has been responsible for business development, contracts, and proposals, as well as the Company's flight test operations. Despite his management responsibilities, he is still an active test pilot for Scaled. In June 2008, Shane was appointed president of Scaled Composites, taking over this role from previous president and company founder Burt Rutan.SpaceShipOne
Although he was one of the four qualified pilots for SpaceShipOne, Shane did not fly any of the Ansari X PrizeAnsari X Prize
The Ansari X Prize was a space competition in which the X Prize Foundation offered a US$10,000,000 prize for the first non-government organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks...
qualification flights of the craft in 2004. Instead, as director of flight operations, he supervised the flights from the control room.