AEDC engineer nets top honor during Joint Propulsion Conference

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  Dr. Frank Steinle, a senior ATA engineer at AEDC, has received the 2007 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Ground Testing Award. 

Paul Nielsen, AIAA president, presented Dr. Steinle with the award during the 43rd Joint Propulsion Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio July 11. 

The award is presented for outstanding achievement in the development or effective utilization of technology, procedures, facilities, or modeling techniques for flight simulation, space simulation, propulsion testing, aerodynamic testing or other ground testing associated with aeronautics and astronautics. 

Dr. Steinle was recognized for an exemplary career in experimental aerodynamics, wind tunnel and test technique development, and leadership to the advancement of the state-of-the-art in ground testing. 

"The Ground Test award is the most prestigious award in our field," said Philip Stich, ATA director of the integrated test and evaluation department at AEDC. "I am very proud that Frank was recognized for his outstanding career accomplishments."
Dr. Steinle said the nature of the award made it particularly significant to him. 

"This is a peer award and for someone in my profession, there is no greater honor," he said. "Those who choose the nominee come from the ground test technical committee - people from all disciplines pertaining to ground testing for aerospace applications - that would be wind tunnels and rockets and engines and materials and environmental testing - we're a pretty large and active technical committee. So, this award says your peers think you've helped." 

Allen Arrington, AIAA Deputy Director for Fluid Sciences in the Aerospace Sciences Group, said there were several reasons he nominated Dr. Steinle for the award. 

"First, Frank is a great role model for folks in ground testing," he said. "He's being doing aeronautical testing for many years, and has been involved with a lot of projects - testing and facility development - that cover a wide variety of topics. He knows a great deal about instrumentation, flow quality, test technology, etc. and, more importantly, he is willing to share this knowledge with anyone who will ask the questions. He's a great teacher. 

"My dealings with him started through AIAA and the Ground Testing Technical Committee. Frank and I served on a couple of working groups together and he has provided me with some valuable advice on technical issues relative to wind tunnel calibration and flow quality testing." 

Dr. Steinle began his professional career in 1962 as a U.S. Air Force officer and test engineer at NASA Ames Research Center, Calif. He had received his commission upon graduation with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). 

In 1965, he left active duty, transitioned to civil service and continued to work at NASA Ames until 1994. While with NASA, he earned a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics with a focus on gas dynamics from Stanford University, Calif. and a doctorate in engineering from Texas A&M College.
He has been at AEDC for 12 years, and is assigned to ATA's Technology and Analysis Branch, Facilities and Test Techniques Section. 

"Dr. Steinle works as a principal investigator for flight systems long range planning and clean air heater technology development for high speed/hypersonic aeropropulsion testing on the Test & Engineering/Science & Technology program," explained John Jordan, an ATA engineer in the applied technology branch.