NASA's new B-52H mother ship at the ready, with renowned NASA B-52B 008 poised beside.

NASA's new B-52H is seen here on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.

Ready to go, NASA's new B-52H mother ship waits as NASA B-52B 008 taxis back from flight.

NASA's new B-52H is seen here on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.

Dryden Center director Kevin Petersen shakes hands with AFFTC commander, Brig. Gen. Curtis Bedke, at the retirement ceremony for NASA's B-52B.

NASA's venerable B-52B mothership launch aircraft served as the backdrop at its retirement ceremony on Dec. 17, 2004.

DFRC director Kevin Petersen speaks to an audience of NASA and Air Force visitors, employees and special guests at the retirement ceremony for NASA's B-52B.

A B-52 "H" model, on loan to NASA Dryden from the U.S. Air Force, touches down at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 30, 2001.

A B-52H, tail number 61-0025, arrives at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center after landing July 30, 2001.

A B-52H, on loan to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, makes a pass down the runway prior to landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

B-52H over Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA Dryden's B-52H in flight

NASA Dryden's B-52H in flight.

NASA's veteran silver B-52B, foreground, joined the new B-52H in NASA markings for a ceremony in Wichita, Kansas, April 12, 2002, marking the 50th anniversary of the B-52 aircraft

NASA's new white B-52H, destined to join a veteran B-52B mother ship at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, was exhibited at the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas, April 12, 2002 during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the B-52 series of aircraft.

A newly arrived B-52H is seen here alongside NASA Dryden's venerable B-52 "B" model during its arrival ceremony on August 1, 2001.

NASA's new white B-52H, shared ramp space with the veteran NASA B-52B mother ship in Wichita, Kansas, April 12, 2002 during the 50th anniversary of the B-52 aircraft.

B-52H over Dryden Flight Research Center

Retired NASA Dryden research pilot Ed Schneider served as master of ceremonies at the retirement ceremony for NASA's B-52B, on Dec. 17, 2004.

From December 10, 1966, until his retirement on February 27, 1976, Stanley P. Butchart served as Chief (later, Director) of Flight Operations at NASA's Flight Research Center (renamed on March 26, 1976, the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center). Initially, his responsibilities in this position included the Research Pilots Branch, a Maintenance and Manufacturing Branch, and an Operations Engineering Branch, the last of which not only included propulsion and electrical/electronic sections but project engineers for the X-15 and lifting bodies. During his tenure, however, the responsibilities of his directorate came to include not only Flight Test Engineering Support but Flight Systems and Loads laboratories. Before becoming Chief of Flight Operations, Butchart had served since June of 1966 as head of the Research Pilots Branch (Chief Pilot) and then as acting chief of Flight Operations. He had joined the Center (then known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' High-Speed Flight Research Station) as a research pilot on May 10, 1951. During his career as a research pilot, he flew a great variety of research and air-launch aircraft including the D-558-I, D-558-II, B-29 (plus its Navy version, the P2B), X-4, X-5, KC-135, CV-880, CV-990, B-47, B-52, B-747, F-100A, F-101, F-102, F-104, PA-30 Twin Comanche, JetStar, F-111, R4D, B-720, and B-47. Although previously a single-engine pilot, he became the Center's principal multi-engine pilot during a period of air-launches in which the pilot of the air-launch aircraft (B-29 or P2B) basically directed the operations. It was he who called for the chase planes before each drop, directed the positioning of fire rescue vehicles, and released the experimental aircraft after ensuring that all was ready for the drop. As pilot of the B-29 and P2B, Butchart launched the X-1A once, the X-1B 13 times, the X-1E 22 times, and the D-558-II 102 times. In addition, he towed the M2-F1 lightweight lifting body 14 times behind an R4

Stan Butchart climbing into B-47.