Interview with Kurt Schroeder on Testing and Developing the F-14 (Part 1) 

An excellent interview. As a Grumman Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Kurt on several F-14A and F-14B Test Projects; and, on the X-29A Forward Swept Wing Demonstrator Project. Kurt is an outstanding pilot, engineer, and gentleman. One thing Kurt did not mention was the initial tests of what was known as the GE F101 DFE (Derivative Fighter Engine) Powered F-14 Super Tomcat trials conducted in 1981 on F-14 No. 7 Aircraft. F-14B No. 7 was the original F-14 test vehicle for the Pratt & Whitney F401 engine test program. After the P401 project was cancelled in 1974, No. 7 was "mothballed". In 1981 No. 7 was taken out of storage, structurally modified and fitted with the F101 DFE engines, and flight tested for a short time to prove the concept of using GE engines with F-14. The results of these early tests led to the subsequent full scale engine tests in 1986 of the GE F110 engines in the now-designated F-14B No. 7 test aircraft. F-14B No. 7 now resides on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Intrepid Museum in New York City.

This gentleman is not only a treasure chest of technical information, he knows how to communicate it. Terrific interview! I served aboard an aircraft carrier and walking up next to a Tomcat in the hangar bay, was almost a spiritual experience. Still the sexiest fighter ever!

You can learn more just from listening to one guy who was involved in early testing than you can from various documentaries and web articles

Fascinating stuff. I could listen to Kurt for hours and not get bored. Amazing interview. Thanks so much. F-14 was truly a technological marvel of its times.

Thank you Mike for organising and uploading these interviews on a regular basis, I wish to extend my gratitude to you and the aircrew who all give up your precious time for our benefit.

I love Mr. Shroeder's blend of engineer and flight experience. It really seems to affect his word choice and descriptions. This was a fascinating interview.

Nice to see Kurt again after many years, I spent 38 years as a systems engineer John A Sullivan

Another quality video Mike, pleasure to watch Kurt, humble, matter of fact and supremely entertaining. Thanks to you both 😊

So basically if the F14s would have had the GE110 engine in it originally. Its would probably still be flying. That sucks it is one of my favorite plane.

Looking forward to this! Watching right now!

I've wanted to meet Kurt all my life, as he is my mother's cousin, but time just never allowed for that chance.

The F-14 Tomcat wasn't the best, but my goodness...., it had the prettiest lines I've ever seen on a Jet Fighter and it did end up being a pretty damn good Aircraft!

What a ledgend. Well done Kurt.

At the end, when he said about testing the F14 with that F110 engines to deliberately see how recovery from asymmetric thrust can be done, without safety devices installed, I was impressed. I thought if he enters a severe enough flat spin, "his goose is cooked"

Great interview

Another cracking video sir! Would love to see an F-14, it's one of the few aircraft I've never seen in the flesh

lol his phone made me jump still same ringer sounds

Good work,thanks :-)

very very cool!

Nice video man!

It seems that the Americans talk less about themselves, and more about the planes. So more Americans please.

Another excellent interview. With regards to the F110 engine, it was my understanding that it was actually too powerful (would cause structural damage to the airframe) for a full afterburner takeoff on the carrier deck and pilots were mandated to only use full military power?

Wow, I've even more impressed with the F-14, which I thought was impossible...!?

Notice he didn't say the F4 was a "wonderful plane"

They should have developed a Super Tomcat and at least demo them, I bet the Navy would had been sold on them

I cannot believe that this brilliant video has so few viewings... Maybe edit it a little and take out the "mhmm" and responses ? :-) Then repost?

Mmm hmm

Who else got into habbit of counting "hmms, uhhhus, yeahs, ..."? I lost count after first 120.

Man you got to cut out the "umm hmm" "ya" "yup" etc etc etc. It's very distracting.

Sorry but I can't watch this Skype format for more than a couple of minutes as your inadvertent "yeah, mmm-hmm" responses are too irritating.