Name/Title
Potocki, Władysław Jan (“Spud”)Entry/Object ID
8338Description
Born in Poland in 1919, first served with the Polish Air Force before joining the Polish squadrons with the RAF during the war. After leaving the British Empire Test Pilot School he joined Avro Canada as a test pilot in ~1955. Spud flew in the CF-100 chase plane during the Arrow's frist flight and his first flight occurred on 23 April 1958 with his last being the Arrows last on 19 Feb 1959. While one of the newest Avro pilots, he managed to fly more than anyone else with 34 hours and 35 minutes by the end of the project, was also the pilot when the Arrow was recorded flying at M1.98. He was flown to Trenton to pickup Arrow 204 after it was diverted there. Met TV & radio star Arthur Godfrey at Avro in 1958. Attended Zura's retirement dinner in 1958. Commented that he saw the Arrow as a potential reseach plane in 1959. He was also involved in the Avrocar project as the development pilot, he survived Black Friday and continued as Flight Operations Manager and worked with the Avrocar into 1961 until he was recruited by North American Rockwell as a test pilot - he retired from test flying after a crash impacted the vision on one eye. Attended the Arrow 30th anniversary celebration 1988. After retirement he worked with his wife operating a motel in Ohio. He died at age 77 Dec 34, 1996 in Columbus, Ohio.