Desmond Barker

Desmond Barker (25 August 1949 – 15 March 2021) was a South African Air Force officer. His air force career spanned over four decades including time as the SAAF's Chief Test Pilot, air attaché in London, air base commander, and a member of its aerobatic display team. He was awarded the Southern Cross Medal and made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Early life Barker was born on 25 August 1949 in Pretoria and attended Lyttelton Manor High School. He was the third generation in his family to join the South African Air Force (SAAF).

He started training as a test pilot in 1984 and graduated in 1985. He was posted to 1 Squadron and flew the Mirage F1AZ. During this time he was seconded to Armscor, testing the Cheetah. For his contribution to flight-testing he was awarded the Southern Cross Medal in 1990. A year later he was appointed Chief Test Pilot at the Test Flight and Development Centre in the Overberg base.

Barker retired from the SAAF in May 2008.

He accumulated 7200 flying hours and flew 58 different types of aircraft.

In 2011 he was awarded the SETP European Flight Test Safety Award.

He published a number of books, including Zero Error Margin – Display Flying Analysed (2003).