What year did you graduate from high school?: 2001

Austin and his wife Melissa

College(s):
Minnesota State University – Mankato (2001-2003)
University of Minnesota (2003-2005), B.S., Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
National Institute of Aerospace/Georgia Institute of Technology (2005-2007), M.S., Aerospace Engineering

What is your current occupation and what are some activities that it entails?
You’ve actually caught me in transition- I currently work for NASA, at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, but I have accepted a new position back at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Here at NASA I have done research under the Aviation Safety Program, aimed at reducing thenumber accidents in commercial aviation. The current research involves f light testing new experimental autopilot systems using subscale airplanes- think R/C model airplanes, butmuch more sophisticated! My new job at the U of M will be in the Aerospace Engineering Department, where I will be leading the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Research Lab. The faculty, students, and staff in the lab work on a number of different projects, from developing new aircraft sensors, to creating autopilots that can fly tiny airplanes indoors! I’m looking forward to being back in Minnesota!

What is your favorite part of what you do now?
Flight testing our small scale aircraft. This usually involves long hours in a remote area of the country, but it’s the best part, because you get to see all of your hard work pay off. It’s very satisfying to see something you’ve worked on take flight and perform as you expected.

What is your most interesting story from your career?
As part of my training, NASA sent me to the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California to learn about flight testing. Part of the training involved flying an Aermacchi MB-326 military-style jet. While this is only a relatively tame jet trainer aircraft, you do wear the full fighter-pilot outfit, complete with helmet and oxygen mask. We flew all sorts of flight test and aerobatic maneuvers, including inverted spins, where the airplane is upside down and spinning like a top! I nearly lost my lunch!

Microgravity


Describe what were the most important or influential things in your past that lead you to this point? I think my family deserves a lot of credit- they have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, no matter what they are.

What advice would you give to current Eagle Valley students who aspire to achieve what you have?
Work hard, and believe in yourself. Don’t ever say, “I’m not smart enough to do that”. People so often rise (or sink) to the level of their expectations- it’s a shame, because the ‘average joe’ is usually capable of so much more. I think success in life is more about having a dream and being willing to work hard to achieve it, than being born with some natural gift or talent.

What do you miss most about the Eagle Bend/Clarissa area?
The small town feel, where you know everyone, and everyone knows you. After living in big cities, and living on the east coast, small sleepy Eagle Bend sounds like a pretty nice place to live!

What is your fondest memory of Eagle Valley/Eagle Bend Schools?
That’s a tough one! Playing in Fargo dome for the section championship in football, making snow sculptures during Sno Daze, the massive water balloon fight at the last day of school, shop class… it’s hard to pick just one!

What, if any, plans for the future do you have currently?
As I mentioned before, I’ve taken a new job at the U of M, so my wife and I will be moving to Minneapolis in a few weeks. We plan to stay near the Twin Cities, so we will be looking for a house as well. We don’t have kids yet, but are planning to take that big step in a few years.