* Jay Beasley; Former Lockheed Instructor Pilot

GLENDALE — Jay Beasley, a former Lockheed instructor pilot who taught thousands of military and commercial pilots, died this week at the age of 82.

A longtime Glendale resident, Beasley helped advance naval aviation by developing a vast array of safety procedures for pilots, amassing more than 20,000 flight hours along the way.

“Jay was certainly a legend within the naval aviation community, but he contributed as much to commercial aviation . . .,”said Lockheed Martin board Chairman Dan Tellep in a statement. “There haven’t been many people whose impact on our country has been as great as Jay’s.”

Although he never wore a military uniform, Beasley was twice awarded the U.S. Navy’s Distinguished Service Award, its highest civilian honor, and was designated an Honorary Naval Aviator.

A native of Waxahachie, Texas, Beasley first flew solo in 1932, at age 17. By 21, he had earned both his pilot’s and mechanic’s license. He then began a career as a mechanic at American Airlines, working his way up to senior mechanic by the time he was 25.

At the beginning of World War II, Beasley joined the Army Air Corps Ferrying Command as a civilian pilot, transporting various aircraft--including Hudson Bombers, P-38s and Vega Venturas--from the manufacturer to military bases.

In 1943, Beasley was hired at Lockheed as a test pilot and retired in 1975. A few years later, he returned to Lockheed as an instructor pilot.

Beasley died Thursday in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was lecturing pilots in the Navy’s maritime patrol program. Ever since his retirement he had continued to work as a consultant and lecturer for the since renamed Lockheed Martin, specializing in P-3 Orion programs. His expertise with the P-3--a maritime patrol aircraft--earned him the nickname “Mr. P-3.”

Beasley is survived by his wife of 52 years, Allene, and a son, Jay R. Beasley Jr., of San Jose.