Flight Research Inc. is a Veteran-Owned Small Disadvantaged Business (VOSDB) and the premier provider of flight training, maintenance, storage and testing services in the United States. Since 1981, Flight Research has supported the federal government, pilots and corporations in upset prevention and recovery training, aircraft leasing, storage and standardized aircraft maintenance.
Our commitment to providing the highest level of service is unmatched in the industry and its quality is recognized by the fact that we have trained test pilots, provided centralized weapons storage services, have more than 40 active aircraft available and centralized facilities to support testing in avionics, weapons and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) activities.
In 2014, Flight Research, Inc. came under new ownership and is now led by Retired LTC William “Stryker” Korner, a decorated Vietnam veteran and pilot, with a mission in serving the aviation community. Mr. Korner’s goal for Flight Research is to provide the best possible service to all of its customers with the intent to ensure that Flight Research is considered the “go-to” entity for all of the aviation community’s needs.
Located at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, CA, Flight Research also provides space training through its Space Training Program. Flight Research is the only private entity providing space flight training in the United States.
Bill “Stryker” Korner
Bill is the Chairman and CEO of Flight Research, Inc. Bill spent five years on active duty with the US Army and Air Force, along with many years serving in the Reserve and Air National Guard. He flew 204 combat missions in Vietnam and was shot down on more than one occasion, avoiding capture by the North Vietnamese. Bill was one of the most highly decorated pilots in Vietnam, receiving two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, 14 Air Medals, Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Vietnamese Medal of Honor. Bill is also the recipient of the Air Force’s Daedalian Orville Wright Achievement Award being the leading aviator in a competition of more than 2000 Air Force pilots. His combined flying and academic scores were the highest ever obtained at that time in history.
Bill was recalled to fly in Desert Storm and flew 25 combat missions. He is also a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, along with six former presidents. If that is not enough, Bill also played football for Penn State.
“The Heritage Room”
Flight Research has a long tradition in which pilots and trainees are escorted into the Heritage Room after they have completed their training. The Heritage Room represents a single symbolic location where a transition of knowledge is handed off to the next generation of pilots. Each pilot that has the opportunity to experience the Heritage Room and receives special recognition as part of an elite community of specially-trained pilots that we consider to be the top one percent in aviation. They are a particularly special breed of pilot who have trained and received special commendation for superior skills in flight. Fixed, rotary wing and spacecraft pilots have earned the distinction of being recognized in the Heritage Room.