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Donald Lee Bloom
Donald Lee Bloom passed away in Grapevine, Texas, Tuesday July 18, 2017. Don is predeceased by his mother, Georgia Randolph Bloom (1984); father, Fred Miles Bloom (1988); and by his loving wife Anne Marie Bloom of 52 years. He was a loving son , husband and father. Don is survived by his children, Susan Bloom (and partner, Tammy Upson), Stacy Bloom, Robert Bloom, Todd Bloom; Herb Waldrop (Don’s best friend, long time golf partner, coworker, and expert engineer in flying), Cookie Kirschner (Don’s best friend and sister since the age of 12 that shared his love of playing the piano, writing music, singing and flying), and Bubba Applewhite (friend and golf partner). Don was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in April 1932 and was fascinated with flying from a very young age. His dream of becoming a pilot was put on the back burner when football became his passion during high school and college. It was during his Senior year in College (University of Houston, football scholarship, graduated 1955) that becoming a pilot became crystal clear. Following graduation he joined the US Navy flight-training program. After his preflight training, Don became a navy cadet and was commissioned in the US Marine Corps. His first flight as a pilot was in Pensacola, Florida in October 1955. After spending 4 years flying for the US Marine Corps he became an experimental Test Pilot for Kaman Aircraft 1960-1961. Don joined Bell Helicopter as Experimental Test Pilot and Development Pilot in 1961. Don retired from Bell Helicopter as a Senior Experimental Test Pilot 1990, and continued his love of flying as an expert witness in aviation accident trials. His credentials during his career at Bell include first flights and structural demonstrations in the model 577 (super UH-1D), OH-58A, AH-1J, 206L series, 222 and UH-1C. As a Bell Helicopter Engineering Development test pilot , he flew structural demonstrations that were required for Military Approval. He was project development pilot on the first prototype fighter helicopter, the Bell AH-1G Cobra. Don was project pilot on 187 projects between 1961 and 1990, logged 150 flight test projects in chronological sequence, log books reflecting the flying of 102 different helicopters and 15 fixed-wing aircraft. Total flight hours logged are 14,000 plus, of which 6,540 are experimental and development time. He developed high velocity curves for the OH-58A, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206B, 206B-1, 206B-3, 204B-4 and the UH-1C. In 1984 the Society of Experimental Test Pilots presented the coveted Iven C. Kinchloe Award to Don for his successful investigation into the spin phenomena of the OH-58A (later identified as loss of tail rotor effectiveness-LTE). He was the first helicopter pilot to receive this award since its inception in 1958. Recipients of this award are displayed at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum including John H. Glenn Jr., Neil Armstrong and Charles E. Yeager. Don and Tom Wood, Bell Senior Technical Fellow, were also recognized in 1984 for developing a new understanding of LTE based on flight investigation for which they received the Howard Hughes Award. This award is given in recognition of an outstanding improvement in the fundamental helicopter technology brought to fruition during the preceding calendar year. The results of this flight data and interpretation of this data is still taught at Bell’s Flight Training Academy today. The FAA recognizes pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 or more years by awarding the Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award. Don received this award in 2011. For 21 years at Bell and 15 additional years since retirement, Don had served as SW Region /FAA Designated Engineering Representative Flight Test Pilot (DER). From his first flight in 1955 through his retirement from Bell in 1990 and after his retirement, self employed, DB Aero (DER & DER consultant activities, Expert witness trial & depositions, accident investigations & analysis, helicopter operations advisor), Don continued to set an example for what the meaning “Master Pilot” is. According to his fellow pilots, “Don does not fly helicopters, he wears them”. Services for Don will be held at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on July 31, 2017 at 12:30 pm. Please arrive at 12:15 (15 minutes prior).
Condolence Messages

11 Responses

  1. Dear Family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. Indeed Don was special, and Jane and I enjoyed our time with he and Anne.
    Gary& Jane young

  2. I am sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I am proud to call him friend and fellow Bell Test Pilot. I worked with him many years at Bell and always admired his great knowledge of helicopters and his advice in test flying. He will be missed by all .

  3. Prayers sent up to hasten his speedy ascent and reunion with all that have gone before him!! Love to the Bloom family.

  4. My love and prayers are with the Bloom family at this time. May God wrap his loving arms around you all and give you strength and peace. I was one of Mr Blooms caregivers and I love him very much, he will be greatly missed..

  5. Susan our thoughts and prayer are for and with your family at this trying time during your lives.

  6. DON NOT ONLY WAS A VERY TALENTED HELICOPTER PILOT BUT HE HAD AN “OPERATIC” BARITONE VOICE AS WELL…SO NOT ONLY WILL HE FLY FORMATION WITH THE ANGELS, I’M SURE HE WILL BE SINGING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS WITH THE ANGEL CHOIR…THAT IS WHAT A FORMER MARINE WOULD DO…MY HEART FELT CONDOLENCES TO ALL HIS LOVED ONES…
    W.A. “DUB” BLESSING
    ANOTHER FORMER MARINE

  7. Don and I go back to 1956 when we were squadron buddies and continued until recently to stay in touch. We’ll miss him.

  8. Don and I crossed paths briefly when I went to work for Bell as a pilot. Don retired just a few years after I got there. I do remember Don for his simile and he always was laughing. Much to my regret, we never got to fly with together. He will be missed by his family and close friends.

    Godspeed Don

  9. Donald graduated out of Bowie High School before I did; but his performance in school and football set the attainment goal for those who followed. I graduated Bowie H.S. in 1954 with a scholarship to Rice to play football. I was on the Rice 1957 team that played Navy in the Cotton Bowl. I graduated from Rice in 1959; commissioned as a Second Lt. in the Marine Corp. Completed flight training at Pensacola and flew the A4 and F8 jet aircraft and retired after twenty years.

    His example set the goal for a lot of young men. He will be missed.

    God bless you and the family.

  10. Happy Birthday on April 26 from his adopted sister and fellow Aries. Donald Lee was a true artist as so noted in all reports. He was trained and sang operatically to Texas State Championship, a superior golfer, football star, reciprocal engine pilot, master of helicopter flying and a bold -perfectionist. And, most of all a dedicated Christian. He was a great friend always. Love to the family.
    Cookie Kirschner, Bowie, TX.

  11. I never met donald or new him, i just knew of his work. The bell 222 will forever be in the hearts of Airwolf fans and don was a big part of its development, as such our airwolf fan club offers its sincere condolences on the loss of a true aviation legend.

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