An expert in design, certification, maintenance, and servicing of aircraft landing gear, braking control systems, wheels, tires, brakes, proximity systems, and related systems. His extensive experience also includes involvement in numerous accident investigations associated with landing gear, brake systems, and aircraft stopping distance issues. He participated on many NTSB accident technical investigation teams
As manager of the Landing Gear, Brake, and Hydraulic Systems division for a major airframe manufacturer, he has led teams of engineering experts responsible for the design, development, certification, safe operation, and in-service performance of software-based control and information systems, landing gears, brake systems, hydraulic systems and components, proximity systems, weight and balance systems, and nose gear steering systems. He is experienced with general aviation, military and commercial aircraft, their components and systems, and has served on industry teams. He is an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) with authority relating to wheels and brakes, brake control systems, proximity systems, landing gear design, and other related systems.
Academic Background
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; University of Illinois. 1963
- Numerous industry training/education classes
Professional Experience
Aircraft Landing Gear/Brake System Design, Maintenance and Servicing Specialist, RTI Group LLC, 2011 – Present
Private Company, CA, 2001 – Present. Consultant/Independent Contractor to NTSB, USC, ICAO, and corporate operators.
- Consultant/Independent Contractor to NTSB, USC, ICAO, and corporate operators. Design and certification of aircraft landing gear, brake systems, wheels, tires, & brakes, proximity systems, and related systems. Related technical problem resolution, accident investigation, and design for safety methods and analysis. FAA delegated DER authority includes wheels and brakes, brake control systems, proximity systems, landing gear design, and other related systems.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach, CA, 1978-2007
- Senior Staff Engineer; Landing Gear & Brake Systems. Accident investigation, product support, & modification for in-service aircraft.
- Manager – Landing Gear, Brake, & Hydraulic Systems. Team of 18 engineering experts responsible for the design, development, certification, safe operation, and in-service performance of software-based control & information systems, landing gears, brake systems, hydraulic systems and components, proximity systems, weight & balance systems, and steering systems.
- Landing Gear Integrated Product Team Leader. Led a team of 23 engineering experts in design of new landing gears, brake system, and other related systems.
- Designated Engineering Representative. FAA DER for software-based control and information systems, aircraft landing gears, brake systems, hydraulic systems & components, proximity systems, weight & balance systems, and steering systems.
- Principal Engineer. Responsible for military & commercial aircraft components & systems.
- NASA Space Shuttle consultant and industry expert. SAE A-5 Gear, Brake, & Tire Committee V-P.
Manager to Kawasaki Motors Corporation Santa Ana, CA, 1975 – 1978
- Manager, Product Planning & Evaluation. Responsible for new product planning and competitor evaluation for the US motorcycle market. Interfaced with an international design organization to define, design, style, test, and evaluate new products.
Manager and Product Planner to Deere & Company, 1973 – 1975
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio & Los Angeles, CA, 1966 – 1971
- Sales Engineer. Responsible for brakes, tires, antiskid, & fuel cells on many aircraft including Rockwell B-1; Lockheed L-1011, S-3 and AH-56; North American Sabreliner, Northrop F-5, Ted Smith Aerostar, and others.
Douglas Aircraft, Long Beach, CA, 1964 – 1966
- Design & Analysis Engineer. Brake and antiskid systems requirements, design, and performance analysis.