NASA Research Pilot Ed Schneider's became history's first pilot to conduct multi-axis thrust vectored flight, working as project pilot for the F-18 High Angle of Attack Research Vehicle. He participated throughout the project's nine-year length, and received NASA's Exceptional Service Medal for this hazardous flight-testing, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Chanute Flight Award. Ed Schneider was born in Dayton, Ky., Nov. 16, 1948. A graduate of Covington Latin School, he earned a Bachelor's 1968 from Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Ky. He served on active U.S. Navy duty from 1968 to 1983. In 1973, at age 24, he became the youngest graduate in the history of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He served as engineering test pilot, test pilot school instructor, F-4 Program Manager, and Senior Test Pilot at Naval Aviation Depot, North Island, Calif. In 1983, Schneider became a NASA research pilot at Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, Calif. He assumed the position of Chief Pilot in 1997, heading a team of 13 research pilots. He was also project pilot for: the SR-71 High Speed Research Program; the F-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing aircraft; the F-18 Systems Research aircraft; the NASA B-52 Launch Aircraft; and the NASA Lear Jet. His research also included the F-8 Digital Fly-by-Wire; the F-14 Automatic Rudder Interconnect and Laminar Flow programs; the F-15 ACTIVE; the F-104 Aeronautical Microgravity programs; the Boeing 720 Controlled Impact Demonstration; NASA B-52 Launch Aircraft; and the F-15B Aeronautical Research program. He served as Dryden's Deputy Director of the Flight Operations Directorate from March 2000 until he left Dryden in September of that year. When he left Dryden he had over 6,700 hours in 83 different aircraft, and had performed 'fi rst fl ights' on five unique research aircraft.