About Louis Schalk
Lived 1926 – 2002 (aged 76). Louis Schalk was an American aircraft pilot and test pilot.
Louis Wellington 'Lou' Schalk, Jr (29 May 1926 – 16 August 2002) was an American aviator. As chief test pilot for the Lockheed Corporation's Skunk Works, he was first to fly the Lockheed A-12.
A native of Alden, Iowa, Schalk started at West Point in 1944, graduated in 1948, and taught at Laredo Air Force Base in Texas.
Schalk graduated first in his class at the Experimental Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in 1954, becoming an Air Force test pilot assigned to Fighter Operations, testing such aircraft as the F-100, F-101, and F-104, under the command of Pete Everest and Chuck Yeager.
Schalk was buried in West Point Cemetery on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
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Important facts
People in Louis Schalk's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Louis Schalk?
American aviator (1926–2002)
When was Louis Schalk born?
Louis Schalk was born on 29 May 1926 in Alden.
When did Louis Schalk die?
Louis Schalk died on 16 August 2002 in Fairfax.
What was Louis Schalk's occupation?
Louis Schalk was an aircraft pilot and test pilot.
What nationality was Louis Schalk?
Louis Schalk was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Louis Schalk. https://biography.guide/louis-schalk/
MLA: "Louis Schalk." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/louis-schalk/.
Chicago: "Louis Schalk." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/louis-schalk/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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