Einar, a lifelong glider pilot, former jet fighter pilot in the USAF, and exchange officer with the Royal Air Force attended the Empire Test Pilot’s School in Farnborough, Hampshire, England. He served as a test pilot on the Hawker Hunter, English Electric Lightning, and Gloster Javelin British fighter aircraft.

From 1968 until 1986, Einar was a NASA research pilot at the Dryden Flight Research Center. He was twice awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal as well as the U.S. Air Force’s Distinguished Flying Cross. Einar flew the SR-71/YF-12A, F-111, F-14, F104, and the X-24B lifting body.

When he retired from NASA Einar accepted a full-time position as the chief test pilot for the Grob Egrett, in Mindelheim, Germany. The Egrett was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the German Air Force. Einar set the absolute altitude record for all turboprop aircraft. He was the test pilot for the Grob Strato 2C, an extremely advanced, all carbon, very high-altitude, propeller driven aircraft, built to carry two pilots, two scientists and 2,000 pounds of scientific instruments. Einar reached an altitude of over 60,700 feet, which exceeded the official altitude record for all propeller driven aircraft by over 5,000 feet.

Awards/Records
Einar flew above 50,000 feet in 17 different types of aircraft. Steve Fossett and Einar set the world sailplane absolute altitude record of 50,722 feet. In 2020, Einar was a recipient of the Distinguished Statesman of Aviation from the National Aeronautic Association for “his visionary and persistent quest to advance the progress of aeronautics by researching and exploring the stratosphere in a glider utilizing high altitude waves.” He was inducted into the Soaring Hall of Fame in 2010.

In 2021 Einar left us with a legacy of leadership and inspiration. Soar in Peace.