Wichita, Kan., Feb. 24, 2014 –The National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University is pleased to announce Billy Martin has joined NIAR as a senior research scientist and director of the Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Lab.
Martin is one of the most knowledgeable technical experts on high intensity radiated fields (HIRF) and lightning in the United States, with 30 years of industry experience in the practical aspects of compliance to HIRF and lightning standards. He specializes in aircraft protection against electromagnetic fields.
At NIAR, Martin will manage all aspects of the EME Lab, which performs all sections of DO-160 testing, full aircraft testing for HIRF, lightning, personal electronic devices and electromagnetic interference. The lab also offers assistance in regard to aircraft certification.
Martin is also an independent FAA designated engineering representative (DER) in the area of EME. He chairs the SAE AE2 lightning committee, and is the U.S. representative on EUROACAE WG-31 Lightning Committees. He is a member of RTCA SC-135 and ARAC HIRF Committees.
“The addition of Billy Martin to the NIAR team will greatly enhance our capability in lightning and EME-related sciences to better serve the aviation community,” said John Tomblin, NIAR executive director.
Prior to joining NIAR, Martin worked at Cessna Aircraft Company for 23 years as principal engineer and the supervisor of the EME group, where he was named on multiple lightning protection-related patent applications. He has also worked at Boeing Military Aircraft Company as an antenna designer, and was the principal designer on a special application antenna for B-52, B1-B and F-111 aircraft. Additionally, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a radar repairman on digital control long-range 3D search radar and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E-5.
Martin has a Bachelor of Science degree in electronic engineering from Oklahoma State University, where he serves as a member of the OSU School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Board of Visitors. He also has a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Newman University.
He his wife, Janan, have lived in Derby, Kan. for 24 years. They have five daughters.
The EME Lab will work in partnership with the existing Environmental Test Labs, which will continue to be led by Paul Jonas. For more information about the EME Lab visit www.niar.wichita.edu/researchlabs/eme.asp.
NIAR supports the aviation industry by providing research, development, testing, certification and training services. Its laboratories include Advanced Coatings, Aging Aircraft, CAD/CAM, Composites & Advanced Materials, Computational Mechanics, Crash Dynamics, Environmental Test, Full-Scale Structural Test, Mechanical Test, Metrology, Nondestructive Test, Research Machine Shop, Virtual Reality and the Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel. NIAR operates on a nonprofit budget and is the largest university aviation R&D institution in the U.S., located in Wichita, Kan., the “Air Capital of the World.” www.niar.wichita.edu
