Key Personnel

Mississippi State University and the Department of Aerospace Engineering have put together a highly capable team of key personnel having extensive experience in management, flight test, engineering and research in both government and commercial aeronautical programs. Key personnel include the following:

Mr. David Lawrence, RFRL Director

Mr. Lawrence's career in the aerospace industry has spanned over 35 years. He has held various positions within the Tracor organization including: Vice-President of the Systems Division in Austin, Texas, and Director of Flight Test Operations in Mojave, California. He retired as President of Tracor Flight Systems, Inc., in 1998. During his early career, he flew as a test pilot in high performance aircraft and specialized in the areas of flying quality development and performance testing. His projects included the Piper Cheyenne III certification effort, The T-35 Pillian project for the Chilean Air Force, the Aerospatial Omega TB-31 JPATS demonstration effort, and the Piper PA-48 Enforcer program, which was completed under the USAF contract. In addition, he has managed high-visibility/large budget general aviation projects and defense contractor research and development programs. Mr. Lawrence is a graduate of St. Louis University and Mississippi State University.

Dr. Thomas Edwards, Research Director

Dr. Edwards has over 32 years of experience in civil and military sector programs. Prior to joining the RFRL, Dr. Edwards held various positions in the industry including Chief Engineer at Decisive Analytics Corporation, task lead within SAIC's Ballistic Missile Defense group, and Director of Integrated Systems Engineering for the Grumman Space Station Divison. He also served over 20 years with the U. S. Army as a research specialist, pilot, and commander in operational and experimental flight test positions, as an acquisition manager, and as an aerospace technologist while on loan to NASA during th Space Shuttle design phase. Dr. Edwards received his Ph.D. in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering specializing in aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, and optimization. He is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Test Pilot School and the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC) curriculum.

Dr. Robert King, Flight Operations Director

Dr. King has 20 years experience in both aeronautical engineering and military aircraft operations. He received his Ph.D. at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California while on active duty with the U. S. Navy. He has worked in the Controls Branch and in a special projects group at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and has over 13 years of experience as a Naval Aviator in the Helicopter Combat Support community. His areas of expertise include the guidance, navigation, and control of aeronautical systems and flight test engineering.

Mr. Rodney Lincoln, Facilities Director

Mr. Lincoln has over 15 years of experience in instrumentation systems and their installation in experimental aircraft including the Honda UA-5 twin-engine business jet prototype, the Columbia 300 PACUSA, and remote control systems in drones. He has been with the RFRL for the past 13 years where he has been involved in the maintenance of AC and DC control systems including the Arboga CNC machine, various measuring robots, flight test telemetry and instrumentation and major building facilities.

Mr. Matt Clark, Composite Technician

Mr. Clark has experience in composites with Global Aircraft, aircraft sheetmetal repair with Dynacorp at Columbus Air Force Base, and experise in welding and other skills.

Mr. Joe Cook, Machinist

Mr. Cook machines special tools, helps with numerous projects, and is responsible for maintenance and repair of RFRL machines and facilities.

Mr. Bill Owen, Aircraft Mechanic

Mr. Owen is a retiree from the Civil Engineering Department and works part-time to maintain the RFRL fleet.

Mr. Ed Skinner, Aircraft Mechanic's Helper

Mr. Skinner assists with RFRL equipment and facilities maintenance.

Mrs. Rani Sullivan, Research Engineer

Mrs. Sullivan is principal investigator on several research projects and provides coordination and support for ather research activities. She completed her Ph.D. coursework and passed the preliminary examination. She began her dissertation research in Fall 2001.

Mr. Calvin Walker, Research Associate III

Mr. Walker has been active in the aerospace field for 15 years. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1988. He worked at Raspet as a student in flight testing of a remotely piloted vehicle, composite fabrication of a RPV and composite wings for Honda R&D Co. He then moved on to McDonnell Douglas Corporation in Long Beach, CA working in the flight test department for the MD-11 and C-17 aircraft. He was the liaison engineer for the third production C-17 supporting the instrumentation engineers and technology engineers. After McDonnell Douglas, he returned to Mississippi and worked with the Global Aircraft Corporation in cockpit ergonomics for the GT-3 trainer and project engineer in the development of the Quasi-Constant Speed Composite Propeller under a NASA SBIR contract. He was also the flight test engineer and test coordinator in flight testing the GT-3 trainer and QCS propeller. Mr. Walker has recently returned back to Raspet. He co-authored a report on the feasibility of using composite for liquid hydrogen fuel tanks. He was the principal investigator in the fabrication of composite molds for duPont Aerospace. Mr. Walker also participates in the flight test operations at Raspet. Mr. Walker areas of experience are flight test engineering, composite fabrication, and propeller design.

Undergraduate Students

Twelve students were involved in RFRL research activities during 2000-2001. These students were Kristin Breedlove, Jeremy Cash, Anthony Fabiszak, Joseph Ford, Brian Geiger, Joshua Jackson, Evan Marble, Michael Nestler, David Paul, Jones Warren, Rick McCann, and Joshua Stuart.

Graduate Students

One graduate student participated in RFRL research activities. Michael McNabb was primarily involved with the Bosch Aerospace, Inc., cycloidal propeller project. He completed his coursework and presented his thesis for a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering during the Spring 2001 semester. Mr. McNabb accepted a position as a researcher with Bosch Aerospace, Inc.