U-M AIAA: Student Chapter

Upcoming Events/News

"Jet Engine Design Considerations"

Wednesday, October 7 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

For all current/prospective aero students, faculty, and staff!
In Boeing Auditorium (1109 FXB)

Presentation Details: Mr. Koops will be discussing the history, design concepts, and limitations on the design of both military and commercial aviation gas turbines, including a snapshot of some new systems currently under development for the next (2020) generation of aircraft. The economics of the industry will be reviewed, with a focus on the pros and cons of partnerships such as the CFMI partnership of GE and French engine maker SNECMA. Mr. Koops will also be offering advice on career planning and current job opportunities in the aviation industry.

Speaker Biography: Leigh Koops graduated from the University of Michigan in 1972 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. He completed a Masters degree in Solid Mechanics at the U-M in 1973 and took a position in design engineering at GE Aviation in Cincinnati. During his 35 year career at GE, Mr. Koops has worked in a variety of roles, including component mechanical design, engine certification, technical training and systems engineering. He has been the chief engineer for a number of GE engine development programs, including the High Speed Civil Transport (a NASA program), the U2 re-engineering program (a Collier Award winner), the CF34-10 engine development (for the Brazilian Embraer 190 and the Chinese ARJ21), and the F136 engine development (for the Joint Strike Fighter). Most recently, Mr. Koops was the Manager of Advanced Technology Programs at GE Aviation. In January of this year, Mr. Koops retired from GE. He now divides his time between traveling with his wife Kathy (also a Michigan graduate), playing golf, bicycling and rooting for U of M sports teams.

Recent Events

Oshkosh Trip Article for Aero Newsletter

A group of seven students from the U-M Student Branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) recently returned from a trip to the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh '09. The Oshkosh event is the world's largest general aviation gathering and draws an annual attendance in excess of 500,000, with over 10,000 aircraft flying in - during the event, it has the busiest control tower on Earth! Oshkosh boasts countless forums, workshops, social events, airshows, and an unimaginable number of airplanes of all shapes and sizes.

The Piper Saratoga group - from left to right: Erik Larson, Steve Mazur (AIAA VP), Brian Min, Ben Marchionna (AIAA Pres)

The students flew out from Ann Arbor airport in two groups - one in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the other in a Piper Saratoga. The 172 was piloted by aero grad student Andy Klesh and the Saratoga by Professor Ella Atkins' husband, Deano Smith, an adjunct faculty member and flight instructor. In the tradition of Oshkosh, the students camped next to their airplanes and enjoyed the camaraderie of "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration." The highlights of Oshkosh '09 include the first U.S display of the Airbus A380 (including tours in its flight-test configuration), the unveiling and aerial demo of Virgin Galactic's White Knight Two, the first-ever display of the C-5M Super Galaxy (M for modified), and the C-17 Globemaster III. Students also enjoyed presentations by NASA X-15 pilot Joe Engle, U.S Airways Flight 1549 Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger, and even a performance by the well-known ventriloquist (and helicopter enthusiast/builder) Jeff Dunham.

The Oshkosh '09 AIAA group - from left to right: Brian Min, Marco Ceze, Erik Larson, Andy Klesh, Steve Mazur (AIAA VP), Prof Ella Atkins, Ben Marchionna (AIAA Pres)

Overall, the Oshkosh '09 trip was a huge success and one that AIAA hopes to make an annual occurrence. This event was the kick-off for the forthcoming, action-packed year of speakers, social events, and trips that the "new" AIAA has in store for the U-M aero department - if you're not already a member, join to be sure that you don't miss anything!

During the flight back to Ann Arbor, the Piper Saratoga group performs some "fun" airplane moves - steep turns (60 degrees), rocking the wings, and zero-gravity maneuvers. Seen here, Ben Marchionna's camera "floats" in zero-gravity during the parabolic flight - note the view through cockpit window :)

Interested in Joining?

If you are interested in joining AIAA, please e-mail the AIAA officers with your name, primary contact e-mail, current class standing, as well as any questions/concerns you may have. After that, you will need to pay $5 dues per semester to remain a member. You can also join AIAA at any event that we host, including AeroFest, speakers, picnics, etc.

As a member of AIAA, you will have access to exclusive networking events, industry tours, field trips, speakers, career workshops, and much, much more. Tours and field trips for the 2009-2010 year include (1) Wright-Patterson AFB and the National Air Force Museum, (2) Williams International, and (3) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, GA, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Arnold Engineering Development Center.

Active AIAA members will receive first "dibs" at the industry tours (maximum of 30 students), special events, and networking events with speakers- it is very easy to remain "active" within AIAA compared to requirements with other professional societies. To retain "active" status, you can be involved in just one event committee (a meager time committment), help out at our new "Aero Pizza Stand" once a month for an hour, or even assist in prep/clean-up for an event - there are countless options to show your interest in AIAA and the U-M Aero department.

Please let us know if you have any questions! We look forward to meeting you :)

U-M aero students and AIAA members Marco Ceze (left) and Erik Larson (right) inside the flight-test-configured Airbus A380 at Oshkosh AirVenture '09.

About AIAA

National AIAA:

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the professional society for the field of aerospace engineering. The AIAA was founded in 1963 from the merger of two earlier societies: the American Rocket Society (ARS), founded in 1930 as the American Interplanetary Society (AIS), and the Institute of Aerospace Sciences (IAS), founded in 1932 as the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences.

As of 2004, the AIAA has more than 35,000 members. Despite its name, the society has members among aerospace professionals worldwide. Universities with programs in aerospace engineering or related fields may form Student Branches. The AIAA publishes nine technical journals, monthly general interest magazine, Aerospace America, and a series of technical books. It also organizes a number of conferences for aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

AIAA Student Branch:

The AIAA recognized that the U.S. aerospace industry is facing a rapidly aging workforce, and recently has begun pushing to recruit new students to the field. Student branches tend to be on the front lines of this task. AIAA currently has over 160 active student branches, including 12 foreign student branches, with a total active membership of over 6,500 students worldwide.

The University of Michigan Student Branch of AIAA seeks "to educate and excite students at U-M about aerospace technologies and science, and to promote fellowship among students interested in these topics." The objective of the U-M AIAA is "to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics. AIAA fosters the professional development of those engaged in scientific and engineering activities."

Activities/Events: The U-M AIAA holds monthly meetings with high-profile industry speakers, field trips to airshows (i.e. Oshkosh), museums (i.e. Nat'l Air & Space Museum), and industry facilities for in-depth tours (e.g. NASA, Lockheed Martin, GE), resume critiquing and career workshop events, and many networking opportunities. The U-M Student Branch also hosts the fall and spring Aero Dept Picnics, aero social events (e.g. bowling, movie nights, paper airplane competitions), and informal lunches with professors - to name a few.

The U-M AIAA Student Branch is open to all University of Michigan students interested in the aerospace industry - it is not necessary to be an aerospace engineering major. AIAA has members throughout all class standings - from first-year freshmen to PhD students and beyond!