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  #371  
Old 03-23-2013, 10:39 PM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,574
Default I'm retiring from NASA today

I've been meaning to post some pictures and now, I'm leaving.
I've worked as an aerodynamics researcher and wing designer for NASA for 33 years, and today, I retired. An old friend asked me to join him in his start-up adventure, and it is a chance to do something different and new for awhile.
But here are a couple of pictures of my most recent work at NASA.



This is a model with 7-ft semispan (1/8th scale) of a representative single-aisle transport (737-class) with a second-generation geared turbofan engine nacelle (bypass ratio 15). You can see the turbine-powered engine simulator in the nacelle. The model fan is 10.75" diameter. The wide-angle lens makes it look even bigger than it really is. It was tested in the 11 x 11-ft transonic wind tunnel at NASA Ames. The pink paint is pressure-sensitive paint, lets us measure the surface pressure over the whole model at once.



Here are before and after pictures of the upper surface pressure distribution from my design optimization, where the wing shape and nacelle shape and position were simultaneously optimized. Cruise at Mach 0.785. Ended up with nice supercritical pressure distribution on most of the wing, and nearly shock-free inboard of the nacelle. The experimental results matched the CFD predictions extremely well, which doesn't surprise us much these days. But the model proved we can get the L/D we want, even with the big nacelle.

Eventually, I'll be able to post some pictures of the new vehicle we are working on at the start-up.
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Steve Smith
Aeronautical Engineer
RV-8 N825RV
IO-360 A1A
WW 200RV
"The Magic Carpet"
Hobbs 625
LS6-15/18W sailplane SOLD
bought my old LS6-A back!!
VAF donation Jan 2020

Last edited by scsmith : 03-24-2013 at 02:23 AM.
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  #372  
Old 03-23-2013, 11:30 PM
Allan Bartlett Allan Bartlett is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Irvine,CA
Posts: 8
Default Re: Day Job

Longtime Futures Broker but quit to help start a hedge fund with a good friend last year. One of my past clients told me he "built" his own plane and I've been fascinated ever since. I'm about to start pilot training(later this summer) and then hopefully by next year I will be starting to build my own RV-10. Hey I can dream, right?
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  #373  
Old 03-24-2013, 02:21 AM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,574
Default Futures?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan Bartlett View Post
Longtime Futures Broker but quit to help start a hedge fund with a good friend last year. One of my past clients told me he "built" his own plane and I've been fascinated ever since. I'm about to start pilot training(later this summer) and then hopefully by next year I will be starting to build my own RV-10. Hey I can dream, right?
I wonder what RV-10 futures are going for?
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Steve Smith
Aeronautical Engineer
RV-8 N825RV
IO-360 A1A
WW 200RV
"The Magic Carpet"
Hobbs 625
LS6-15/18W sailplane SOLD
bought my old LS6-A back!!
VAF donation Jan 2020
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  #374  
Old 03-24-2013, 11:17 PM
xblueh2o xblueh2o is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SF East Bay
Posts: 852
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by scsmith View Post

Cruise at Mach 0.785.
.78? Ugh, You're killing me. We don't fly jet airplanes to go slow.
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RV-8 with the Showplanes Fastback conversion
Emp completed except for glass work
Wings completed except for bottom skin and glass work
Fuselage underway
N18451 reserved
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  #375  
Old 06-05-2013, 01:16 PM
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Freightdawg Freightdawg is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Albany, IN
Posts: 160
Default MDs and RVs

I started out flying KC-135Rs then instructed in the T-1.

Now I get to fly this (the plane in back), and occasionally it's with the guy in front. Even better than flying with him is getting building advice from him.

THANKS DAVE!

Jeff

Quote:
Originally Posted by db8 View Post
[IMG][/IMG]

Day job in front, night job in back.
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  #376  
Old 10-25-2013, 05:12 AM
NavyIBNFE's Avatar
NavyIBNFE NavyIBNFE is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 55
Default What I do for work (fun)...

I see no one has posted in here for some time, so here's a bump!


I am currently in my mid 20's, I have been in Naval Aviation for almost 6 years (A long time right?) lol

I started out with an enlistment contract as an ATC'er, then in Boot decided I wanted to backseat in some of the Navy's platforms, since only Officers are pilots. Anyways, I ended up volunteering for another 2 years while in Aircrew Candidate and Water Survival school in Pens, FL and got my contract amended again (plus a $2k bonus!) to try my whits at Flight Engineer School, where the going drop out rate was near 3 out of 5. I went anyways, I was already a pilot and I had an AA degree, what could go wrong?

I ended up making it thru the school (2nd in my class ) and got orders to the Mad Foxes in Jacksonville FL.
I deployed twice over 3 years flying this
[IMG][/IMG]

Sitting like this

[IMG][/IMG]

And occasionally getting some stick time

[IMG][/IMG]

Taking old fashioned pictures like this (Im second from left)

[IMG][/IMG]

Flying with my friend and his wife while we weren't delayed (my flying is not what scared him, he lost cell reception... No FaceSpace updates...)

[IMG][/IMG]

Now, Im deployed again flying this guy in super duper secret places

[IMG][/IMG]

I love what I do, a lot! I instruct, test, deploy, teach, and more. I am not rich, but I love what I do and the Navy is a great place to work, good travel benefits as well!

I have been around the World 3 times. 16 Countries. Every Continent, minus the cold one on bottom... Maybe I'll fly an RV there someday? (I read about a guy flying his 172 there!)

Anyways, Its great fun and sometimes you even get to see some cool stuff and land with a tube full of smoke (see- lots of electronics aboard)

I get to listen to Danger Zone and pretend I'm a Top Gun (at Mach 0.45 usually)

I have met a few RV builders in the Navy and I hope to start my build soon!
Im coming up on my reenlistment, but it will be short lived- Im about a year and a bit away from finishing my BS in Aeronautics with ERAU and already have a few weighted letters of rec for Officer Candidate School. Airlines are tough, so lets see if the Navy will let me actually fly! After over 2,000 hours and over 5 years of sitting Center Seat you'd think I have a good chance... All they care about is a silly degree...

On my spare time I fly rickety old spam cans (and one really nice Cardinal owned by another avid RV enthusiast)
I like to drive my Z06, but I will most likely sell to finance an engine and prop someday!

I will most likely be a 6+ year builder, since I will build as money becomes available.
I'd like my RV-8 to look like this when Im all done

[IMG][/IMG]


So there you have it,
all the above is what I do to pay the bills (and save for my -8) and I love every day of it.
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Constantly Moving...
Lumbering around in a King Air 90 wishing I was flying an RV
Waiting to pull the trigger on an RV-14
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  #377  
Old 10-25-2013, 06:29 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Thank you

We're so grateful for guys 'n gals like you, serving our country. Glad you're also enjoying it.

I'm ex Army and my wife is a retired Naval Commander who also enjoyed the Navy.

Best,
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RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
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  #378  
Old 10-25-2013, 07:49 AM
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n981ms n981ms is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Dublin, GA
Posts: 256
Default

Jacob,
I sincerely appreciate what you do for our country. Despite loving what you do there are still sacrifices that you are making. Thank you.

It is hard to tell over the internet if it was tongue in cheek, but I will respectfully disagree with the "silly degree" comment. I If it were silly you would not have to work so hard to get it. The work it takes says something about you. It says you are willing to put forth the effort and achieve. Many people will not. Keep working on that degree, be proud of it. I will vote for that paint scheme on your RV.
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Maxwell Duke
Kitfox S6/TD/IO240/SteamIFR Built it
RV10 IO540/AFS5600x3 Bought it
CH750 O200/AFS5500. Built it with 7 friends. DAR-Vic Syracuse
Maule M7-235C Sold it(kind of miss it)
VAF paid 5/2017

Last edited by n981ms : 10-25-2013 at 08:48 AM. Reason: Clarification
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  #379  
Old 10-25-2013, 07:56 AM
Rick S. Rick S. is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 736
Default

Quote by Jacob,

"I am currently in my mid 20's, I have been in Naval Aviation for almost 6 years (A long time right?) lol"

34 years ago when my mother looked at my squadrons group photo she said we all looked like babies! I never really thought that was true but as I look at your pictures I'm starting to understand! Keep living the dream! Great photos.
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  #380  
Old 10-25-2013, 07:57 AM
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NavyIBNFE NavyIBNFE is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 55
Default

Mr. Duke and Mr. Smith,

Thank you for the kind words- It never gets any easier saying "You're welcome" because it just doesn't seem to be the right response, so I usually say it is my pleasure, sacrifice an all.

As far as the degree goes, it's true it isn't silly... I just try to keep a humorous opinion of it because it has been taking so long. Work doesn't give up much time for studies that are "extracurricular". I am encouraged to get educated, but it is definitely a long hard process- the degree specifically with Embry Riddle is very demanding. I just say 'silly' because it seems like such a small thing standing between where I am now and flying right seat in the same aircraft I know almost EVERYTHING about (maybe more than the pilots themselves ) Classes and homework projects are like rivets, just keep on buckin'...

Thank you for your encouragement tho, I do appreciate them and I will be very proud to have accomplished quite a goal once I graduate!
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Jake Frantz

Constantly Moving...
Lumbering around in a King Air 90 wishing I was flying an RV
Waiting to pull the trigger on an RV-14
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