| "I became an Airborne Science pilot in the Flight Crew Branch of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center after a career with the United States Air Force. As a research pilot, I pilot research aircraft such as the DC-8, King Air, Learjet, B-52, and others. Right now I am working on research projects that would allow an aircrew added visual capability for short austere airfield and drop zone identification during nighttime operations. I also recently commanded DC-8 flights to investigate weather phenomena associated with hurricanes and thunderstorms. I think my work has contributed to increasing aviation safety be better understanding and predicting hurricanes and thunderstorms.
I've had the opportunity to pilot many different aircraft and work with engineers on new ideas for future aviation use. I've also had the chance to pursue simulations of controlling aircraft without flight controls. This involves the manipulation of the engines for directional control, which would provide a backup method to safely land an aircraft with the loss of the of the fight control system.
I chose NASA because it gave me a chance to do more testing with many different aircraft and work with new and emerging technologies. NASA has allowed me to use my test pilot background and experiences with other aircraft to develop new ideas in the aviation field." |
Frank Batteas
Research Pilot
Dryden Flight Research Center
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Southern California
California State University Fresno
Joined NASA in 1998 |
