This expert brings over thirty years of experience in aerospace engineering and has worked for several major original equipment manufacturers. He has also served as an independent aerospace consultant for the last twenty-two years. He is designated a Consultant Designated Engineering Representative (DER) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with authority in 14 CFR Part 25 certification regulations. He specializes in mechanical systems including flight controls, doors, and hydraulic design and construction, equipment qualification, airplane testing, safety analyses, and service documents. He additionally has delegated authority for mechanical systems safety analyses for air conditioning, pressurization, oxygen, and fire protection. This expert also specializes in structures cabin safety for design and construction and service documents as well as power plant safety analyses for airplane turbine engines and auxiliary power units.
Academic Background
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering – University of Utah
Professional Experience
- RTI Group, LLC, Annapolis, MD, Senior Aerospace Mechanical Systems Engineer – July 2021 - Present
- Consulting, 1996 - Present
- Private company - Lead System & Certification Engineer –2020 - Present
INTEGRATED FLIGHT & PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM (IFPCS) TEAM LEAD
Developed the flight and propulsion control means of compliance for the Joby S4-2.1 EVTOL to include part 23 amendment 64 subparts B, C, D, and F.
Organized and led technical interchange meetings to discuss the applicable means of compliance with the part 23 standards branch and flight test personnel of the FAA.
Coordinated the technical familiarization meetings for the Joby IFPCS system with the FAA part 23 and rotorcraft standards branches, LA ACO system and safety engineers, and flight test personnel.
Engaged in the mechanical systems technical familiarization meetings with the FAA part 23 and rotorcraft standards branches, LA ACO system and safety engineers, and flight test personnel.
Created and reviewed area specific certification plans for the following systems: IFPCS, propulsion, navigation and guidance, mechanical systems, cabin safety, safety program plan, and flight.
Developed requirements for the IFPCS system, equipment, and testing to include inceptors, flight computers, vehicle navigation, inverters, EPU motor & variable pitch, tilt, aileron, and ruddevator actuators.
Guided designs for the environmental control, doors, landing gear, and braking systems.
- DER/EAR,– Gulfstream 2006 – 2020:
LEAD MECHANICAL SYSTEMS EAR
Mentored EAR candidates
Participated in panel reviews and approved/rejected EAR candidates
Provided counsel and direction to EARs
Reviewed and approved airplane level certification plans
Identified and resolved key technical issues for FLC, GVII, GVI
Performed yearly ODA audits of EARs
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS & POWER PLANT SAFETY EAR
Reviewed and approved safety analysis documents
Reviewed and signed functional hazard assessments
Provided input and support on continued operational safety issues
Performed system audits in accordance with ARP4754A
Provided approval of system review report
FLIGHT CONTROL, DOORS & HYDRAULICS EAR
Reviewed and approval of safety analysis documents
Performed, reviewed and approved certification plans
Approved flight control designs on the GVI and sustaining programs
Approved design changes for flight control cables, actuators and rigging documents
Involved in discussions with FAA & EASA about the GVI Flight Control System which has included discussion about CS compliance
Identified and resolved GVI Issue Papers and CRIs
Approved qualification, ground and flight test plans and reports
Performed qualification, ground and flight tests
Witnessed fuselage door and emergency exit tests including egress through the exits from the inside of the aircraft, and emergency responder access into the aircraft
Witnessed landing gear testing and nose wheel steering qualification testing
Participated in nose wheel steering monitor trips to determine fault and to help
determine corrective action
STAFF SCIENTIST, MECHANICAL SYSTEMS & SYSTEM SAFETY
Reviewed and signed functional hazard assessments: full airplane, engine controls, flight controls, avionics and electrical, doors and hydraulics, landing gear and brakes, environmental control systems, oxygen, fire protection
Reviewed and signed specific risks analyses: engine rotor burst, APU rotor burst, fire and zonal, and wheel well
Reviewed and signed safety analyses: full airplane, engine controls, flight controls, avionics and electrical, doors and hydraulics, environmental control systems, oxygen, fire protection
Member of SAE S-18 committee responsible for ARP4761, ARP4754, ARP5150
Section co-captain for ARP4761A revision
DER Consultant, 1996 - Present
CERTIFICATION CONSULTANT ENGINEER
Reviewed and approved/recommended approval of safety analysis documents: air conditioning, hydraulics, oxygen, pressurization, fire protection, doors, flight controls
Performed numerous certification analyses (safety analyses, performance analyses, timing analyses, tolerance analyses, material compatibility analyses)
Worked on the numerous passenger-to-freighter conversions
Reviewed and approved design details (drawings)
Reviewed and approved design changes for flight control cables, actuators,
installations and rigging documents
Reviewed and approved test plans
Witnessed certification ground and lab tests
Performed inspection and tests of flight control systems including slack cable,
smoothness and ease of operation, and limit load tests
Reviewed and approved test reports
Reviewed certification plans
Reviewed and approved service documents w/delegation (service bulletins)
Provided documents showing compliance with CFRs and JARs/CS
Reviewed and discussed rule interpretation with FAA and EASA
DER – Boeing 1993 – 1998
FLIGHT CONTROL AND DOOR DER
Performed, reviewed and approved certification plans
Approved flight control and door designs
Approved design changes for flight control cables, actuators and rigging documents
Reviewed and recommended approval of safety analysis documents
Approved qualification, ground and flight test plans and reports
Performed qualification, ground and flight tests
Identified and resolved issue papers and CRIs
Supported MSG-3 activities and meetings
Reviewed and approved service documents (service bulletins)
