NASA Armstrong Director Brad Flick to Retire After 40 Years of Service

On Monday, NASA announced Bradley Flick, director of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, will retire Thursday, March 19, after a nearly 40-year career advancing aeronautics and flight research.

Flick began his NASA journey in 1986 as a flight systems engineer and rose through the ranks to lead the center. His career spanned historic achievements by NASA, bookended by the groundbreaking X‑29 forward-swept wing aircraft and the first flight of the X‑59 quiet supersonic technology aircraft and including many other experimental flight research and airborne science projects in support of NASA and the nation.

"Brad's career reflects the kind of disciplined engineering and steady leadership NASA relies on to tackle difficult problems," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "For nearly four decades, he contributed to some of the agency's most challenging flight research efforts—from the X-29 through the first flight of the X-59—and helped strengthen the team and capabilities at Armstrong along the way. NASA is grateful for his service and the example he's set for the next generation of engineers and flight test professionals.