Norman in...Beesley retires as F-35 Chief Test Pilot.

via Lockheed Martin.

Al Norman, a veteran Lockheed Martin experimental test pilot, was named chief test pilot for the F-35 program on 21 February 2011. Norman replaces former F-35 chief test pilot Jon Beesley, who retired 31 January 2011. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in 1999, Norman served in the US Air Force for twenty-three years as a fighter pilot and test pilot. He left active duty in 1999 to become an experimental test pilot for Lockheed Martin on the F-22 program at Edwards AFB, California.  Norman tested all aspects of the Raptor's flight regime while in the Combined Test Force at Edwards. In addition to flight test and production work on the F-22, he performed production and test work on all models of the F-16. He is also Lockheed Martin’s chief pilot for the T-50 program. Norman has more than 6,000 hours of flying time in more than seventy aircraft types.

Best of luck to Norman.

Beesley has done outstanding work in the F-35 program and I can't help but want the best to him and his family.  I hope that he has success in all his future endeavours.

Having said that, I also hope that Norman has a more confrontational style with the programs critics.  Beesley was professorial with the nay-sayers and because he didn't meet their vigor, his comments while spot on, were often ignored.