Roland Glavany

In 1964, Roland Glavany took command of the Istres base, before joining the Equipment program bureau one year later where he took on the responsibility for the Jaguar, Mirage F1 and Alpha Jet programs.
Roland Glavany in front of a Mirage III A 01

Born on April 20, 1922 in Nantes, Roland Glavany joined the École de l’Air [French Airforce School] from 1940 to 1941, where he became a licensed pilot.

He was promoted to second lieutenant in October 1942 when he enlisted with the Commandos of the 1st Shock Battalion and took part in the Corsica, Elba and Provence landings.

Seriously injured in Dijon in September 1944, he joined the ranks of the Air Force in 1946, assigned to GR 2/33 Savoie where he became a captain at the age of 25.

After having completed his engineering degree at Sup’Aéro in 1950, as well as his test pilot license in 1952, Roland Glavany joined the Flight Test Center (CEV) where he took care of the Mystère II and Vautour tests.

He was sent on assignment to Avions Marcel Dassault as of 1955, where he was the test pilot for the Mirage I, as well as the Mirage III (aboard which he became the first European pilot to fly in excess of Mach 2), the Etendard IV and the Mirage IV.

He returned to the Air Force in 1959, in the 10th Parachute Division, then joined the ministerial delegate’s office for armaments in 1961.

René Bigand, Serge Dassault and Roland Glavany in front of the Mirage IV 01

In 1964, he took command of the Istres base, before joining the Equipment program bureau one year later where he took on the responsibility for the Jaguar, Mirage F1 and Alpha Jet programs.

From 1969 to 1971, he was in charge of the French Military Experimental Aeronautical Center (CEAM) in Mont-de-Marsan, then, in 1974, became head of brigade and then, in succession, second in command at the Écoles de l’Armée de l’Air.

Roland Glavany was President of the Permanent Council for Air Safety (CPSA) in 1974, and promoted to General of the Air Army Corps in 1975. He was raised to the rank of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor, and became President of the French Office for aeronautical equipment exports (OFEMA). He has also invested in various associations, including les Ailes Brisées [Broken Wings] and Rhin et Danube [Rhine and Danube].

He passed away on January 16, 2017.