Dream Tullahoma Salutes!
Have you ever stopped and realized the things that you take for granted? Many of us have, but how many of us fully appreciate the unique history and assets of our area? Dream Tullahoma is an organization privileged to recognize individuals and companies who have played a major role in Tullahoma's aerospace history and heritage.
We work to share historical information that more of us need to know, and to brand Tullahoma as the "Aerospace Center of Excellence". Using outdoor exhibits, such as plane statues and banners, Dream Tullahoma seeks to attract tourists, new residents and business investors. A future aerospace museum will help educate us all on the people who have given some of their lives to Tullahoma's aerospace heritage. Dream Tullahoma is honored to recognize individuals or organizations for their contributions in making Tullahoma an Aerospace Center of Excellence.
All Articles Below By Misty Marshall
William (Bill) Earheart, Jr.
Today's honoree is William T. "Bill" Earheart who gave 40 years of his life to ARO/AEDC primarily in the field of electronics and design. Early on at AEDC, Bill was asked to redesign the control system for the variable geometric flex plate nozzle for the Von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility's supersonic tunnel A. The Von Karman Gas Dynamics Test Facility is our nation's largest aerospace ground test facility complex. The original control system did not provide the required positioning accuracy and caused failure of one of the critical flex plates.
Bill completely redesigned the original system and incorporated the most advanced, state-of-the-art electronic components to achieve the required control accuracy. The dozens of modules required for the Tunnel A nozzle were constructed by AEDC technicians under Mr. Earheart’s direction. The accuracy of this control system was better than commercial systems. Bill's design stood the test of time for four decades according to AEDC Fellow Jerry Jones who worked with Bill in Tunnel A for years.
AEDC had the first of the second-generation computers installed anywhere in the country—the ERA 1102's. Each major test facility had one. The memory module in VKF failed and the manufacturer determined that it was not repairable. Bill rose to the challenge and conceived a new memory module that restored this critical computer to operational service.
The big Schlieren system in Tunnel A that allowed engineers to look at the shock waves coming off the model being tested vibrated causing a fuzzy image. Once again Bill Earheart came to the rescue allowing them to vibrate and then added an electronic shaker to the beam splitter (knife edge) in the optics so that the splitter moved exactly in phase with the mirrors. This synchronized movement produced a sharp image critical to understanding the flight characteristics of the model in the wind tunnel.
Bill's solution predated - by almost 50 years - the image stabilization in today's digital cameras and camcorders that operate on a similar principle.
In his spare time Bill was an accomplished saxophonist. At AEDC he played with the Opal Weiner's Band. In addition he was a member of the South Jackson Street Band. For 10 years he played with Trinity Lutheran's Church Praise Team Band.
For 40 years Mr. Earheart, with little fanfare, played a key role behind the scenes at AEDC in establishing it's worldwide reputation. He was an AEDC hero who would have made General of the Air Force Hap Arnold proud.
Bill passed away on July 27, 2005. He is survived by his wife Christine, son Bill Jr. and daughters Janice, Judith, and Mary.
Robert M. (Bob) Williams
Today's honoree is Robert "Bob" Williams who served as general manager and president of AEDC's first contract operator, Arnold Research Organization (ARO) from 1954-1974 and was truly a pioneer in Tullahoma's aerospace history.
I first met Mr. Williams in the early 70's. Local resident Joel Ferrell who was quite active in promoting AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) in Middle Tennessee was hosting a party at his home for a high school aged basketball team I was coaching. It was there that I met a gentleman who introduced himself as Bob Williams. In turn I introduced myself and inquired "Mr. Williams what do you do for a living?" He responded "I work out at ARO." It's my understanding that Bob Williams did not seek any personal attention for himself and that answer reflected the kind of person he was – very humble yet extraordinarily capable as an aerospace leader.
Mr. Williams was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the center and developing policies that were consistent with the unique relationship established between the government and the contractor. He led the effort to organize a staff and train a new work force that grew from 1500 in 1954 to 4100 in 1967. He managed the evolution of competitive salary and benefit plans that attracted a high technology workforce. He was one of the chief architects of a collective bargaining agreement between many independent unions to operate corporately as the Air Engineering Metal Trades Council.
He took the lead in investigating the first jet engine failure which allowed him to confirm an internal engine failure as the cause. His foresight enabled him to use this failure in a positive manner and helped the Air Force understand that failures were typical elements of system development and that failure in a ground test facility is far superior to failure in flight.
Our honoree was an advocate of testing rocket motors at altitude conditions even though conventional wisdom said such tests were unnecessary.
In addition his support of both facilities and personnel skills from aircraft and jet engines to spacecraft and rocket engines led to AEDC supporting the development of the first U.S. space and missile systems.
Mr. Williams was involved in the first meetings of the establishment of a University of Tennessee graduate school at AEDC and later the UT Space Institute.
Before coming to AEDC , Mr. Williams was chief engineer for the Packard Motor Company Aviation Division in Toledo, Ohio from 1944-1948 where he was responsible for design, construction and operation of its $3.5 million gas turbine laboratory.
Remarkably he held four U.S. patents for engineering designs, one for a motor now housed at the Smithsonian Institute.
In 1993 Mr. Williams was honored as an AEDC Fellow and characterized as" the guiding light during AEDC's infancy." The late AEDC fellow, former AEDC Commander and close friend Maj. Gen. Lee V. Gossick praised Mr. Williams by stating that he is a "truly great American."
Robert "Bob" Williams passed away in 1995. Dream Tullahoma feels privileged to remember him for his extraordinary contribution to Tullahoma's aerospace history and heritage.
Jere Matty
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting Jere Matty, whom has served as the deputy director of the Space and Missile Ground Test Complex office at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) since 2006. After speaking with him, I soon learned that Matty would be retiring on February 24th after thirty years at AEDC. I would like to take time to acknowledge his contributions to aerospace.
Before being assigned project engineer for the Reentry Systems Testing Branch, Jere Matty attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and served as a T-38 Talon flight training instructor at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. The change in scenery came after a medical issue prodded him down a career path that utilized his engineering degree.
Matty first began at AEDC working in the Reentry Systems Testing Branch. There, he dealt with the arc heaters while he was still an Air Force lieutenant. He later moved into the technology division. During his time at AEDC, he was able to assist in acquiring funding to upgrade Space Chambers 7V and 10V for sensor testing. Matty worked with the Department of Defense's High Performance Computing Initiative office to get funding for AEDC systems that helped develop software for the base and other DOD agencies.
During his retirement, Matty wants to get involved in community outreach programs through AEDC's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program. He plans to volunteer at local schools and help young people realize that engineering is a field that touches more aspects of their lives than they realize. This is where I first met Matty a couple of weeks ago, and I was impressed by how he shared his love of Science with the children attending his program. He also plans to stay involved with Special Olympics, which he has volunteered with for several years. For all of your work in the community and with AEDC, Jere Matty, Dream Tullahoma salutes you!
John Cable
We are proud to salute Arthur John Cable, who was inducted as an AEDC Fellow in 1992, receiving the honor for his significant, outstanding technical and leadership contributions in the development of world-class ballistic test facilities at AEDC. With 43 years of noteworthy achievements, Mr. Cable was widely recognized as one of the world's leading authorities in aeroballistic range design and development.
A native of Salisbury, England, Mr. Cable received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Bristol in England. Before beginning a 30-year career at AEDC, Mr. Cable worked at the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment in the United Kingdom before immigrating to the U.S.
Mr. Cable's technical and leadership contributions in the development of AEDC's ballistic ranges played a significant role in enhancing AEDC's test capabilities. He joined AEDC in December of 1963, serving as a supervisor of range operations for Sverdrup Technologies, Inc.
In 1976 he earned a Master's degree in Engineering Administration from the University of Tennessee Space Institute, and two years later Mr. Cable became a state-registered engineer. During his career, he authored or co-authored more than 50 published papers, journal articles and AEDC technical reports.
Instrumental in organizing the world renowned Aeroballistics Range Association (ARA), Mr. Cable served as chairman of the association from 1977 to 1979. In 1985, the ARA awarded Mr. Cable its initial Ballistic Award for technical achievements and advancement of ballistic range technologies worldwide. The organization had grown from three U.S. chartered members in 1961 to 63 organizations from 20 countries in 1992.
Mr. Cable's leadership and technical expertise also led to a major breakthrough for the range/track system, the measurement of boundary layer transition distances on the nosetips of reentry materials that were actually tested in reentry conditions. Another success for Mr. Cable was validation of transpiration-cooled nosetip designs including repeat flight and discoveries.
Mr. Cable was actively involved in the community and worked with the Boy Scouts for 15 years. In 1979 he and his wife Julie Maxfield Cable were instrumental in the formation of the Tullahoma Branch of Habitat for Humanity in 1988, for which he acted as treasurer until 1993. Mr. Cable passed away in November of 2001.
Dream Tullahoma is proud to honor John Cable for his contributions to Tullahoma's rich aerospace history.
Rogers Starr, President, of Jacobs Technology and a Group Vice-President of Jacobs Engineering.
Jacobs Technology is the advanced technology division of Jacobs Engineering, one of the nation's largest engineering and technical-only companies. With 70 plus years of experience supporting government and commercial clients, they have earned a reputation for excellence and outstanding technical and managerial achievements in quality, performance and safety. Jacobs Technology clients include DOD, NASA, the U.S. Special Services Command and dozens of commercial clients such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Saturn. Jacobs Engineering provides technical, professional, and constructive services globally. Headquartered in Pasadena, California it was founded by Dr. Joseph Jacobs in 1947. Jacobs is a Fortune 500 Company.
Jacobs is part of a consortium of companies which serve as contract operators of the wind tunnels at AEDC where aerospace articles are tested. Mr. Starr has served as General Manager of test operations at Arnold Engineering Development Center from 1997-2000. From 1994-1997 he led major programs supporting DOD, NASA, and automotive companies. From 1990-1994 he was General manager of the Technology Group with responsibility for the design, building, and activation of major ground testing facilities globally.
He is a member of the AIAA and the National Society of Professional Engineers where he has held several offices and served on numerous committees. He was an NSPE Congressional Fellow. He is the author of more than 20 journal articles and conference papers. He received a MS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tennessee ( 1967) and a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech ( 1966).
Outdoor exhibits such as planes and banners have been placed around Tullahoma as Dream Tullahoma seeks to demonstrate that Tullahomians are proud of their aerospace history. Rogers Starr on behalf of Jacobs purchased the blue/gray statued plane from Dream Tullahoma in front of the sign which serves as an entrance to the airport. The sign is presently being redesigned with primary financial support coming from Jacobs. In addition Mr. Starr purchased a customized banner which is on display in front of the Jacobs property.
Dream Tullahoma congratulates Rogers Starr for his vital contribution to Tullahoma's Aerospace history and presence in the world.
Schmiede Corporation Sets Up Shop
Late in 1963 a woman-owned small business named Schmiede Corporation opened its doors with three employees machining wind tunnel components for the nearby Arnold Air Force Base. For 48 years Schmiede has grown its business to encompass over 135,000 square feet of climate controlled manufacturing space and employing 149 skilled workers. Over the years, Schmiede has continued its strong presence in the aerospace industry. 75% of its annual sales revenue results from a long standing relationship with the aerospace industry. Schmiede remains committed to its customers, focusing on a timely delivery of a quality product, involvement of our workforce in the improvement of productivity and for mutually beneficial supplier/ customer relationships.
The ongoing management strategy to acquire and maintain the latest and best in machinery has attracted the best craftsmen in the area to work with over 160 conventional and state of the art CNC machine tools supplying customers worldwide. Each Schmiede craftsman is specially trained according to his/ her individual capacity. Each employee takes great pride in producing components within required tolerances and specific requirements.
Among the customers Schmiede serves are Aerospace Testing Alliance, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, NASA-Langley, Lockheed Aeronautical Corporation, Goodrich Corporation, Vought Aircraft Industries, and Ball Aerospace & Technologies. Like most industries, Schmiede has been impacted by the economic downturn in 2009 but they are on the rebound and now face a very bright future. Brad Ferrell, Vice -President and CEO, has been with the company for 14 years.
Dream Tullahoma is proud to recognize Schmiede Corporation for their very significant contribution to Tullahoma's Aerospace heritage. For additional information go to www.schmiedecorp.com
MicroCraft
MicroCraft Inc. is a local treasure that I had not appreciated until recently. NASA selected MicroCraft Inc. located here in Tullahoma, in March of 1997 to fabricate an unpiloted research aircraft called the X43A. It's the latest in aerospace technology and seems to be science fiction when reading its credentials, but it's not. Not only was this remarkable feat in aerospace fabricated in our area, but it was tested at AEDC because this facility was the only one that could provide the pressure needed to evaluate the materials used in construction.
This amazing aircraft is part of NASA's Hyper-X program and is an unmanned experimental hypersonic aircraft. It is designed with multiple scale variations meant to test different aspects of high supersonic flight. Currently, the X43A holds the world's speed record at nearly 7,000 mph or Mach 9.6. Not impressed? Well how about the fact that this amazing machine can operate at altitudes of 100,000 feet or more and can withstand maximum temperatures up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This aircraft was also created to develop and test an exotic type of engine called a supersonic-combustion ramjet or "scramjet". This is an engine variation where external combustion takes place within air that is flowing at supersonic speeds.
Dream Tullahoma hopes to have a sponsor for our twelve-foot statue of the X43A aircraft that will be prominently displayed here in Tullahoma. This will serve as a reminder to us all to be proud of our aerospace history. MicroCraft Inc., Dream Tullahoma salutes you!
ATK
At the end of March, employees at Alliant, or "ATK" as the company is known, closed a deal to become co-owners of MicroCraft Inc., putting their investments into their own futures, according to plant manager Jim Herron. When considering MicroCraft Inc.'s X43A aircraft, it's natural to wonder what company founder, Charles Folk, would think. Did Folk ever imagine that his company would build an aircraft that could reach speeds up to 7,000mph or fly at altitudes of 100,000 feet? It's easy to imagine that he would be amazed and very proud.
Folk, along with his flying buddy, Ben Cleveland, had started MicroCraft Inc. as a side business, building and modifying test models in Folk's garage, before making it a full-time enterprise in 1958. Folk was a master machinist and instrument maker at what's now known as the NASA Langley Research Center before he moved to Tennessee.
Unfortunately, Folk did not see the amazing X43A aircraft that his company would come to create. Folk died in a glider accident in 1968. His widow, Evelyn, stepped in to run the business, along with their daughter, Fran, and son-in-law Dan Marcum. Charles Folk and his family have made an amazing impact on the aerospace community and Dream Tullahoma salutes you!
Beechcraft Heritage Museum
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum is a distinctly original one-of-a-kind, "living and working" aviation museum that traces the lineage of the Beechcraft family of airplanes. The Museum began life as the Staggerwing Museum Foundation, incorporated in October of 1973, under the auspices of the Staggerwing Club. In April 2007, the Museum became the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. This change reflected a commitment to promoting aviation education and preserving the Beechcraft heritage nurtured by generations of enthusiasts of all Beechcraft models from 1932 through the present. No matter what area of this history, you'll find it here.
This Museum is open from March 1st until November 30th, and is situated in a picturesque campus-style setting adjacent to the Tullahoma, Tennessee Regional Airport (THA). An attractive blend of authentically restored early American log structures and modern museum-quality construction, this 60,000 square foot facility currently houses more that two-dozen aircraft, plus many aviation artifacts and memorabilia for the enjoyment of our Members and visitors. The cost is minimal with the adult rate at $10, ages 12-17 at $5 and ages under 11 free!
When looking to celebrate those who work to preserve Tullahoma's heritage, it is obvious anyone associated with this wonderful organization should be commended. Therefore; to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum's staff, board, and volunteers: Dream Tullahoma salutes you!
Colonel Michael T. Panarisi
Colonel Michael T. Panarisi is the Commander for Arnold Engineering Development Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Arnold Air Force Base. He oversees the largest and most advanced complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world. The center comprises 58 aerospace test facilities located at Arnold Air Force Base, as well as two geographically separated units, the Hypervelocity Tunnel 9 in White Oak, Md., and the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at Moffett Field, Calif. The test facilities simulate flight from subsonic to hypersonic speeds at altitudes from sea level to space. All NASA manned spacecraft and every high performance aircraft, missile, space launch system and most military satellites in use by the Department of Defense today have been tested in the center's facilities.
Colonel Panarisi was commissioned in 1986 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and began his aviation career as a Weapons System Officer in the F-111F at RAF Lakenheath, UK. During this tour, he deployed with the 48th Fighter Wing in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and PROVIDE COMFORT. Throughout his career, Colonel Panarisi has held two staff assignments, serving as the Strategy Division Chief at Headquarters, United States Air Force Europe, Ramstein, Germany, and as the Strategic Analysis Branch Chief at Headquarters, European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. During these assignments, he deployed in support of operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Colonel Panarisi is a Master Navigator with more than 2,000 flight hours in 39 aircraft types and nearly 100 combat and combat support missions. He has earned many awards and decorations. Some of his most notable decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal. Colonel Panarisi, for all of your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to our country and to the field of aerospace and aviation, Dream Tullahoma salutes you!
Dr. Bernhard Goethert
A gentleman that gave much of his life to the advancement of the aerospace industry was Dr. Bernhard Goethert. He was born in 1907 in Germany and died in 1988. Dr. Goethert, his wife, Hertha, and their children moved to the United States at the conclusion of World War II. The Goethert family's home later came to be Manchester, TN. Dr. Goethert's most notable contributions to our area were his service at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) and the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI).
Dr. Goethert served as chief scientist for Air Force Systems Command from 1964-66. He first came to AEDC in 1952 as chief of the Propulsion Wind Tunnel (PWT). In 1963 he was research vice president and chief scientist for ARO, Inc. at AEDC. His work in U.S. aerospace ground testing began at the end of World War II at Wright Field, Ohio and concluded as dean of the UTSI. Considered the father of rocket testing at AEDC, his most significant contribution there was convincing the U.S. rocket propulsion community of the necessity to add ground tests at altitude conditions as a necessary step in the full-scale development and qualification process for liquid and solid rocket propulsion systems.
Together Gen. Schriever, commander of Air Force Systems Command, and Dr. Goethert became the two driving forces for UTSI. Local citizens supported Goethert's ideas for the educational facility; however, some UT leaders expressed concern due to a lack of funding. Nevertheless, in 1957, the Air Force signed a contract with UT to conduct graduate study, staffed and administered by UT employees, at UTSI. The university's board of trustees approved the project in February 1962.
Through his hard work and dedication, Dr. Goethert made a significant impact on the aerospace community. Because of all his efforts to further the aerospace industry and his value to our local aerospace heritage, Dream Tullahoma proudly salutes Dr. Bernhard Goethert!
Jacobs Technology Inc.
Jacobs Technology Inc. has had a strong presence in Tullahoma since the 1940's, beginning with the design of wind tunnels during World War II and the inception of Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). Jacobs continues to support AEDC today as managing partner of the Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) joint venture, employing 2,300-plus highly skilled personnel with capabilities across test and evaluation disciplines, including aerodynamic, aero propulsion, space testing, operation and maintenance of wind tunnels, engine test facilities, rocket test facilities, ranges, and space chambers.
Jacobs Technology is currently lead by President Rogers Starr and is the advanced technology division of Jacobs Engineering. It is one of the nation's largest engineering and technical services-only companies. With over 70 years of experience supporting government and commercial clients, they have earned a reputation for excellence and outstanding technical and managerial achievements in quality, performance, and safety. Their experiences and contributions to the aerospace community include working with partners such as the United States Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy (DoE), and commercial clients delivering and operating world class facilities to develop and test next generation technology.
It is truly remarkable how rich and unique our local history is, and how Tullahoma plays such an important role in today's fields of aviation and aerospace technology. That's why it's important to recognize contributors that make our community unique and strong. Jacobs has enriched our area's aerospace history and continues to be a strong presence in the field of aerospace today. For this, and so much more, Jacobs Technology Inc., Dream Tullahoma salutes you!
Dream Tullahoma
