Louis Knotts
Louis Knotts has been a member of the Niagara Aerospace Museum for
over ten years. During most of this time Lou was co-owner of Calspan Corporation
and served in various company management positions, including President, CEO, and Chairman. He retired from Calspan in May 2023, completing a career that spanned over 40 years. Prior to his management roles, he served as an
engineering test pilot during numerous flight test programs, and for decades
provided flight instruction at several test pilot schools while flying company
aircraft, Before his career at Calspan, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics
from the US Naval Academy and a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering
from MIT. After graduation from the Naval Academy, Lou earned his wings as a
Naval Aviator and flew A-6 Intruders, accumulating over 250 carrier landings.
Following his active duty service, he moved to Western New York and flew F-4
and F-16 fighter aircraft for the New York Air National Guard at Niagara Falls. He
retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lou’s focus on the
Aerospace Museum Board has been to assist in the transition of the Museum to a
new, permanent location.
