Editing Area 51 — Key Persons Directory (section)

=== Test Pilots ===

==== Tony LeVier (1913–1998) ====
Lockheed test pilot; conducted the first intentional U-2 flight at Groom Lake on August 4, 1955; his initial landing assessments of Groom Lake's suitability helped confirm the site selection.

==== Francis Gary Powers (1929–1977) ====
CIA U-2 pilot; shot down over the Soviet Union on May 1, 1960; captured by the Soviets; tried and convicted; exchanged for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in 1962; died in a helicopter accident while working as a Los Angeles news reporter; the most famous Area 51-related pilot in history.

==== Lou Schalk ====
Lockheed test pilot; conducted the first flight of the A-12 OXCART at Groom Lake on April 26, 1962; one of the elite group of pilots cleared for the OXCART program.