NASA Aerial Photographer Completes 1,000th Flight

Troy Asher, acting center director, presents NASA aerial photographer Carla Thomas with an award commemorating her 1,000th flight at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, April 20, 2026. For 38 years, Thomas has captured aerial photographs of research and science flights. The milestone flight was completed in the backseat of a NASA F-15 aircraft piloted by NASA Armstrong chief pilot Wayne Ringelberg.

Troy Asher, acting center director, presents NASA aerial photographer Carla Thomas with an award commemorating her 1,000th flight at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, April 20, 2026. For 38 years, Thomas has captured aerial photographs of research and science flights. The milestone flight was completed in the backseat of a NASA F-15 aircraft piloted by NASA Armstrong chief pilot Wayne Ringelberg.

Photographer NASA/Ryan Kline
Location AFRC
NASA s Armstrong Flight Research CenterAFRCCarla Thomasaerial photographerF A-18NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier AircraftEndeavourSR-71Capsule Parachute Assembly SystemSonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence programEdwards Air Force BaseCalifornia