On April 22nd, 1980, Keith Ferris became the first civilian artist to fly the Fighting Falcon (F-16) outside the GD Test Pilots – earning an official flight certificate from the VP, GM, and F-16 Program Director. Developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin), the F-16 is historically one of the most-heavily produced modern jet fighters. Since its original introduction in 1978, the Fighting Falcon has seen combat in numerous military conflicts. With such a direct impact on military aviation and air warfare, these jets were reserved only for USAF pilots & commanders. Keith Ferris made history as the first artist and civilian to pilot this legendary aircraft.





Approval From The Pentagon
Once his official flight certificate was granted, the Pentagon Telecommunications Center gave Keith Ferris direct approval for single F-16 orientation flight. This flight took place at Hill Air Force Base in Utah – allowing Keith to photograph and observe F-16 flight operations – as part of an USAF Art Program. The Pentagon officially coined this TAC Mission Number FF 027. View an unclassified approval letter highlighting the proposed F-16 flight profile, project officers, 55-22 restrictions exemption, after-action reports, and training requirements.
Official Flight Logs
Keith Ferris’s official flight logs & mission data cards from his historic F-16 journey. These cards are used to highlight and report flight missions from air to ground. This is a real flight log used in 1980, highlighting essential details for Keith’s historic mission:
- · Clearances & Mission Call Signs
- · Mission Station, Start, & Take-Off Times
- · Air Time & Mission Duration
- · Joker/Bingo Fuel Levels
- · Aircraft Number
- · Weight, Speed, & Rotation
- · TO & Abort Distance
- · SMS RACK & CONV
This highly-detailed document records operational mission, weapons, and flight safety & organization spanning the end-to-end mission. Even today, the USAF continues to require mission data cards for operational tracking, safety logging, maintenance forecasting, mission debriefing, and accountability records.




Here comes the F-16
Original F-16 Artwork
Inspired by actual flight and real events, explore original F-16 military aviation artwork by Keith Ferris. These original pieces are designed to honor the original aircraft, as well as the historic aviators and pilots who flew the Fighting Falcon. In addition to F-16 original artwork, giclee prints, and digitally-licensable assets – Keith Ferris Art has a full gallery available to view. Contact (406) 546-4561 to learn more and speak with a specialist.
The 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron's General Dynamics F-16A is seen engaging two 65th Aggressor Squadron Northrop F-5Es low over the Nellis Air Force Base range complex in Nevada. The painting resulted from the artist's April 22,1980, 1 v 1 two-ship introductory mission in the F-16, then brand new, at Hill AFB. This was his first experience with a 9 G aircraft. The artist was the first civilian outside the General Dynamics Test Force to fly in the F-16.
