News

Congratulations, Aerospace Engineering Graduates!

Aerospace Engineering at Illinois welcomed 77 new alumni following Commencement ceremonies May 12.

Space Shuttle Veterans Altman, Nagel, Return to Campus for Talks

Aerospace Engineering alumni speak about their experiences on space missions.

Engineering at Illinois Students Enter Drone in National Challenge

AE students design small drone aircraft for national competition.

Farquhar to Receive College's Distinguished Alumnus Award

AE alumnus receives College of Engineering's Alumni Award for Distinguished Service.

New Energy Management Devices Protect Structures from Damaging Forces, Motions

Engineering at Illinois researchers attempt to mitigate damage from earthquakes.

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AE Alums Participate in F-35B Sea Trials

Two AE alumni played a part in the historic sea trials testing of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter onboard the USS WASP (LHD-1) in October.

The testing, taking place off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, marked the first time the aircraft had operated from a ship.

AE alumni Jim Liao, left, and Paul Martin on board the USS WASP (LHD-1) during sea trial testings of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems Engineer Paul Martin, BS 06, has spent more than five years working in ship suitability, and has been working on the Joint Strike Fighter program the past 2½ years. Currently working for Naval Air Systems Command, Martin’s role was to interact with the ship’s personnel, plan the flight test periods, and ensure the ship was able to provide the desired wind conditions for test points.

Fellow alumnus Jim Liao, BS 00, is a Flying Qualities/Air Data engineer working for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. He has been working the past six years on the Joint Strike Fighter program, in both design and flight test roles. At sea, Liao’s job was to monitor the aircraft’s air data system and flying qualities during the high-risk test points.

Both alums work for the Integrated Task Force at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland.

Written by Susan Mumm
Posted on December 14, 2011