Michael McGee, PhD
Dr. McGee (Left) is a Senior Research Associate at the NASA Center for Aerospace Exploration and Technology Research at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Retired from the U.S. Air Force, Dr. McGee served as an F-16 pilot, including multiple tours and Mission Commander experience. He was a Command Pilot, a Standards and Evaluation Pilot, and spent four years as an instructor pilot in the F-16 division of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School. He is also a Daedalian.
At a recent Daedalian Society meeting at the El Paso Club in downtown El Paso, Dr. McGee, most recently with California’s famous RAND Corporation, helped bring the Daedalians up to speed on UTEP’s latest Aero-Space developments and future plans.
All the local Daedalians are former or current military aviators as well as FASF members. Dr. McGee educated the Daedalian Flight about the new UTEP Program.
He observed that the recently retired former U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, PhD, is the new UTEP President, and is, as well, an instrument rated general aviation pilot in her own right. Her father was a commercial pilot. Ms. Wilson graduated with honors from the USAF Academy and served as a U.S. Congresswoman from New Mexico. Her unique background with its focus on aviation might help explain why Dr. Wilson has such a deep personal interest in helping this innovative new space-oriented program become airborne.
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Before the meeting began, members and guests socialized. Here, L to R are: Mario Campos, Mike McGee, Jerry Dixon, Mark Pfluger, Charlie Overstreet, and, seated, Schelmo Rocha, assistant to Colonel Norman Rice
L to R Standing: Roger Springstead, Dr. McGee, Mario Campos, Jerry Dixon, Mark Pfluger, Charlie Overstreet, Josianna and Gerry Wingett – Seated: Mr. Rocha, Norman Rice and his daughter, Timbiya Rice
L to R: Charlie Overstreet and Col. Mario Campos
L to R: Dr. Mike McGee and Jerry Dixon.
L to R: Mark Pfluger, and Jerry Wingett
L to R: Col. Campos and Flight Chaplain, Roger Springstead get ready to start the meeting.
Colonel Campos opens the meeting.
Dr. McGee begins his presentation.
Dr. McGee, explains the new air space challenges presented by the explosion in the numbers of drones in the U.S.
Dr. McGee points out the serious air safety challenges posed by the fact that Airline Departures at Airports are well published in advance, presenting serious security threats from ill-intentioned drone operators.
Dr. McGee describes the additional aviation security threat posed by the ability of large numbers of airborne drones to be “swarmed” – creating virtual “clouds” of them in the air space.
Presentation ended, Flight Capt. Col. Campos presents Dr. McGee with a gift in thanks for his educational program
L to R: Dr. McGee posed by the Daedalian Seal with Vice Flight Capt. Ric Lambart and Flt. Captain Colonel Campos.
Below is Dr. McGee’s entire presentation, provided here because of its widespread implications for public safety in the new drone age. The video is 41:47 in length.
(This video of Mr. McGee’s presentation was removed on September 27, 2022, at his request.)