André Turcat

André Turcat
André Turcat
Born	André Édouard Marcel Turcat ; 23 October 1921 ; Marseille
Died	4 January 2016 (aged 94); Beaurecueil
Alma mater	École polytechnique
Occupation	Politician, aircraft pilot, test pilot
Awards	Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (2005); Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (1996); Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1952); Prix Marcel Pollitzer (2007) ;
Position held	Member of the European Parliament (1980–1981)

Major André Édouard Marcel Turcat (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃dʁe tyʁka]; 23 October 1921 – 4 January 2016) was a French Air Force pilot and test pilot celebrated for flying the first prototype of Concorde for its 1969 maiden flight.

Turcat was born in Marseille into a family in the automotive industry. He studied at École polytechnique. In 1983 he founded the Académie nationale de l'air et de l'espace.

Between 1980 and 1981, he served as a Member of the European Parliament for the RPR, a Gaullist party.