He started training as a test pilot in 1984 and graduated in 1985 . He was posted to 1 Squadron and flew the Mirage F1AZ . During this time he was seconded to Armscor , testing the Cheetah . For his contribution to flight-testing he was awarded the Southern Cross Medal in 1990 . A year later he was appointed Chief Test Pilot at the Test Flight and Development Centre in the Overberg base
Southern Cross Medal
Southern Cross Medal (1975)
Desmond Barker