Lancaster in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Max R. Stanley

Aerospace Walk of Honor

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Max R. Stanley Marker

Inscription.

Max R. Stanley. Aerospace Walk of Honor. , Max R. Stanley logged more than 8,000 flight hours to become known as the "Dean of Northrop Test Pilots." He flew the first flights of all models of the Northrop P-61 Black Widow except the initial XP-61. , , Stanley flew for Lockheed Aircraft, Pan American Airways, and United Airlines before joining Northrop Aircraft as an Experimental Test Pilot in 1943. , , During his 28 years with Northrop, he pioneered as pilot on the first flights of the Northrop F-15, the Tri-Motor Pioneer, and the Tri-Motor C-125 Raider, and participated as pilot in the F-89 Scorpion and T-38 Talon flight test programs. , , He served as a Project Pilot on the Northrop N-9M one-third scale model of the large XB-35 Flying Wing bomber. , , Stanley was selected as Chief Pilot on the entire XB-35 contractor flight test program including the first flight. He also served as Chief Pilot on the first flight of the eight-jet YB-49 flying wing. He was later assigned as Chief Pilot and Director, Flight Operations in the development of the SM-62 SNARK Intercontinental Cruise Missile. He flew a number of manned aircraft, which were used in the design phase of the full scale, operational missile: P-61, F-89, C-47, P-80, B-45, and B-29. , , Stanley is a founding Member and fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and long-time Chairman of its Scholarship Foundation. He also helped found and served as President of the Aviation Country Club of California. He is a two-time recipient of Caterpillar Club membership, twice earned when he used his parachute to save his life. Stanley is the recipient of the Barnstormer Trophy for "Distinguished Accomplishments in Aviation," and the Aerospace Walk of Honor. , , Established in 1990 by the Lancaster City Council, the Aerospace Walk of Honor celebrates test pilots who were associated with Edwards AFB. Recognition is awarded for distinguished aviation careers marked by significant and obvious achievements beyond one specific accomplishment.

Max R. Stanley logged more than 8,000 flight hours to become known as the "Dean of Northrop Test Pilots." He flew the first flights of all models of the Northrop P-61 Black Widow except the initial XP-61.

Stanley flew for Lockheed Aircraft, Pan American Airways, and United Airlines before joining Northrop Aircraft as an Experimental Test Pilot in 1943.

During his 28 years with Northrop, he pioneered as pilot on the first flights of the Northrop F-15, the Tri-Motor Pioneer, and the Tri-Motor C-125 Raider, and participated as pilot in the F-89 Scorpion and T-38 Talon flight test programs.

He served as a Project Pilot on the Northrop N-9M one-third scale model of the large XB-35 Flying Wing bomber.

Stanley was selected as Chief Pilot on the entire XB-35 contractor flight test program including the first flight. He also served as Chief Pilot on the first flight of the eight-jet YB-49 flying wing. He was later assigned as Chief Pilot and Director, Flight Operations in the development of the SM-62 SNARK Intercontinental Cruise Missile. He flew a number of manned aircraft, which were used in the design phase of the full scale, operational missile: P-61, F-89, C-47, P-80, B-45, and B-29.

Stanley is a founding Member and fellow of the

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Society of Experimental Test Pilots and long-time Chairman of its Scholarship Foundation. He also helped found and served as President of the Aviation Country Club of California. He is a two-time recipient of Caterpillar Club membership, twice earned when he used his parachute to save his life. Stanley is the recipient of the Barnstormer Trophy for "Distinguished Accomplishments in Aviation," and the Aerospace Walk of Honor.

Established in 1990 by the Lancaster City Council, the Aerospace Walk of Honor celebrates test pilots who were associated with Edwards AFB. Recognition is awarded for distinguished aviation careers marked by significant and obvious achievements beyond one specific accomplishment.

Erected by City of Lancaster.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 34° 41.85′ N, 118° 8.638′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Lancaster Boulevard east of Fern Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the Lancaster Performing Arts Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 750 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster CA 93534, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the High Desert,

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Neil Armstrong (here, next to this marker); Herman Richard "Fish" Salmon

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 19, 2024

2. Max R. Stanley Marker

The marker is in the center.

(here, next to this marker); Pete Everest (here, next to this marker); Captain Glen W. Edwards, USAF (here, next to this marker); Fitz Fulton (here, next to this marker); William H. Dana (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel Frank Borman, USAF (about 300 feet away); Lancaster Incorporation Headquarters (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.