Kurt Olney - resume
Professional Summary
Dedicated aviation professional and historian with over 50 years of experience with the Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star, the first production stealth aircraft. Served as a crew chief during the Vietnam War, maintaining YO-3A (serial 69-18007) for critical reconnaissance missions. Co-Founded the Quiet Aircraft Association to preserve the aircraft’s legacy, serving as webmaster and lead historian. Spearheaded efforts to locate, restore, and archive YO-3A materials, collaborating with museums and aviation communities to share its story with the public.
Professional Experience
Crew Chief, Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star, U.S. Army
Fort Ord, CA, and Long Thanh North, Vietnam | April 1970 – May 1971
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Completed specialized training as a Reciprocating Engine Repairman (68C20) at Fort Eustis, VA, in April 1970.
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Underwent eight weeks of intensive training at Fort Ord, CA, on YO-3A maintenance, focusing on the planes unique maintenace demands and its stealth capability.
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Deployed to Vietnam in June 1970 with nine YO-3A aircraft, assigned as crew chief for YO-3A (serial 69-18007) at Long Thanh North, 73rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company (RAC).
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Maintained aircraft in challenging conditions, ensuring mission readiness for silent night reconnaissance missions, including flights as low as 200 feet.
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Supported detachment operations with the 220th RAC at Phu Bai for six months before returning to Long Thanh North.
Webmaster/Historian, Quiet Aircraft AssociationVista, CA | 2004 – Present
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Co-founded the Quiet Aircraft Association with Lockheed avionics engineer Dale Ross Stiff to preserve the history of the YO-3A and its prototype, the Q-Star.
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Developed and maintained yo-3a.com, digitizing and sharing photographs, documents, and stories about the aircraft’s development and combat operations.
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Organized annual reunions starting in 2004, connecting Lockheed engineers, Army personnel, and aviation enthusiasts to document the YO-3A’s legacy.
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Led efforts to locate and archive YO-3A-related materials, ensuring accessibility for researchers and the public while continuing to gather new documents.
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Collaborated with museums to promote the YO-3A’s historical significance as the first production stealth aircraft with advanced night vision capabilities.
Volunteer and Restoration Consultant, YO-3A Aircraft Preservation Various Locations | 1998 – Present
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Rediscovered YO-3A (serial 69-18007) at the Western Museum of Flight in 1998, verifying personal connection through logbook records and engaging with museum staff.
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Contributed to the restoration of YO-3A (serial 69-18007) with the Commemorative Air Force, 3rd Pursuit Squadron, in Cable, CA, in 2000, providing historical documentation and technical insights.
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Supported restoration efforts for YO-3A aircraft at multiple institutions:
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Serial 69-18005 at the Boeing Museum of Flight.
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Serial 69-18006 at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
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Serial 69-18010, facilitating its transfer from NASA to the Vietnam Helicopter Museum for public flight demonstrations.
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Advised on acoustic stealth demonstrations to educate the public about the YO-3A’s role in aviation history.
Education and Training
Reciprocating Engine Repairman (68C20)
U.S. Army, Fort Eustis, VA | Completed April 1970
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Specialized training in aircraft engine maintenance and repair.
YO-3A Maintenance Training Fort Ord, CA | April 1970 – June 1970
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Eight-week program focused on the maintenance of the Lockheed YO-3A, emphasizing acoustic stealth and night vision systems.
Key Achievements
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Co-Established the Quiet Aircraft Association, creating a lasting platform for YO-3A history preservation.
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Successfully digitized and archived extensive YO-3A documentation, making it accessible via yo-3a.com.
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Played a pivotal role in restoring multiple YO-3A aircraft, ensuring their preservation in major aviation museums.
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Organized reunions to connect YO-3A stakeholders, fostering collaboration between military and civilian contributors.