Dipl.-Ing.Günter Scherer, the German flight test engineer famed for being on board the A300’s first flight in October 1972, passed away on May 26 in Toulouse, France. He was 85.
As part of the SNIAS French Aerospace Company, Scherer (above far right) participated in the preliminary work for the Airbus aircraft flight tests. Eventually, he became the flight test engineer in the first ever Airbus flight which took place on Oct 28, 1972.
Later, in 1977, Scherer was part of a multi-national flight test team for Airbus. This philosophy of European cooperation, and its key role in a successful aerospace industry, was something he strongly believed in.
Subsequently, Scherer was instrumental in the development and flight testing of the A300, A310 and the first fly-by-wire controlled A320, before he retired in February 1997.
During all his years at Airbus, Scherer was much appreciated by all his colleagues. Airbus CEO Tom Enders commented, “Günter was a pioneer of Airbus, a strong advocate of Franco-German and European cooperation in our industry. He was thus a solid rock in the foundation of Airbus and will be long remembered.”
May 30, 2018
