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WMU College of Aviation

Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.8333 Fax: (269) 964.6473 gil.sinclair@wmich.edu	Gil Sinclair Faculty Chair Mr. Sinclair received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from The University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England. He also holds a MA in Career & Technical education earned here at Western. Son of a Scottish father and an English mother, he served in the Royal Air Force for twenty two years as a navigator, flying Vulcan bombers and then moving on to F4 fighters and finally Tornado F3 fighters. He also served as an instructor on the F4 simulator and on the F4 Operational Conversion Unit. After leaving the RAF in 1998, he moved to Florida to teach self-funded airline pilots at Flight Safety International Academy at Vero Beach in their CAA (European) program. After a year at FSI, after their CAA program closed, Mr. Sinclair joined the staff at the International Pilot Training Center (IPTC) at WMU in 1999, initially helping to prepare the IPTC for receiving approval to conduct European JAA training. He then taught on the JAA academic programs for Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Emirates Airline Cadets, self-funded JAA students and, additionally, the first FAA students to begin integrated training here at Western. He has served both as Deputy Chief Groundschool Instructor and Academic Standards Instructor for the JAA program, and holds a FAA Ground Instructor Certificate with Advanced and Instrument ratings. Mr. Sinclair has been teaching baccalaureate courses since Fall 2002, currently teaching courses in Aviation Physiology, Aviation Safety and Crew Resource Management. He has also been involved in developing and teaching the groundschool for the Jet Orientation and Handling courses conducted on the College's full motion Flight Training Device (based on the 737-400).
Office: 2220 Korhman Phone: (269) 387.0674 Fax: (269) 387.0355 lisa.whittaker@wmich.edu	Lisa Whittaker Associate Professor Lisa Whittaker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical studies with a minor in aviation management in 1981 and a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science in 1993 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She began flying gliders in 1975 and has since acquired licenses and certificates through Certified Flight Instructor- Instrument Airplane Certificate (CFI-IA). Lisa spent approximately 17 years in the industry working for aircraft manufacturers, including Douglas Aircraft, Fairchild Aircraft, and Cessna Aircraft. Most of her work was in the technical Product Support area, with assignments in Field Service, Customer Service, DC-10 Aging Aircraft program, Citation X support, and Supervisor of Maintenance Engineering for Citation. Lisa kept actively involved in General Aviation over the years while providing flight instruction in Long Beach, San Antonio and Wichita. Professor Whittaker joined the faculty at Western Michigan University in the Fall of 2000 and teaches courses including Aerodynamics, Introduction to Aviaiton, Aviation Safety, Airline Flight Operations, Airport Administration and Finance, and Airline Administration. Her research work blends two areas of focus; Women’s Studies and Maintenance Engineering Education. Most recently, she presented a paper at the Air Transport Research Society Conference in Nagoya, Japan, titled “On Globalization of Maintenance Engineering Education”, which was co-authored with Dr. Risukhin. She has participated in grants and curriculum development with the goal of establishing a master’s degree program in Maintenance Engineering. She has been active in the Women in Aviation, International organization since 1993.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.6874 Fax: (269) 964.6473 benton@wmich.edu	Patrick Benton Associate Professor Professor Benton has been with the College of Aviation for ten years and has a B.S. in Aviation Technology and an M.S. in Manufacturing Administration. He holds an A & P license and a commercial pilot license. His teaching specialty areas are aircraft reliability and maintainability, non-destructive testing, and transport aircraft systems. He has set up several powerplant test cells for turbine and reciprocating engines while here at WMU. Mr. Benton's experience includes military air traffic controller, aircraft repair facility owner/operator, technical field service representative, and manager of logistic support for an aircraft hydraulic manufacturer.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.6991 Fax: (269) 964.6473 mervyn.elliott@wmich.edu	Mervyn Elliott Faculty Specialist II - Lecturer Mr Elliott earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with Medical Applications at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London and Guy's Hospital, London, in 1981. He taught High school Physics for a year and then went on to earn his Post Graduate Certificate of Education at the University of Cambridge. Whilst an undergraduate he was active in student drama and Guy's hospital radio and was awarded a London University Laurel for his work. Whilst at Cambridge he was President of Hughes Hall student union. Three years teaching high school Physics and Advanced Placement Physics followed at the American Community School, south west of London, after which he was commissioned in the Royal Navy, seeing service in the Far East, the North Atlantic and the Gulf. Leaving the Navy in 1989 he joined the teaching team at Brooklands College, in South East England, which was teaching British Airways Engineering Apprentices at Heathrow. Other airlines joined the college for similar training including Virgin Atlantic and British Midland. He became Program Manager to the National Diploma in Aerospace Studies as Engineering Licensing transitioned to JAR 66. After 10 years he joined Western Michigan University in January 1999 teaching Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems to the international students (British Airways, Air Lingus and Emirates) at the International Pilot Training Center at Western, and now teaches Aerodynamics and Performance both at Freshman and Advanced level along with Aircraft Systems. He attained his FAA PPL in 1990 and now holds a JAA CPL. He has grown up playing rugby at school and rowing outside of it. He continues to coach soccer which he has done for many years in Battle Creek and is on the board of the local American Youth Soccer Organization. He met his wife whilst at the American School and now has 2 children.
Office: Phone: Fax: lori.brown@wmich.edu	Lori Brown Faculty Specialist I - Lecturer Lori Brown joined the Department of Aviation Sciences, College of Aviation, in 2001, as Faculty Specialist Lecturer. She obtained her B.Sc. in Aviation Management, and is currently pursuing a Master's of Technology in Aviation Human Factors at Swinburne University of Technology, Department of Engineering, in Australia. She continued her Airline education with Continental Airlines' Management and Inflight Training Programs. She has over 20 years of industry training and exprience on the B727,B737, B757, B767, B747, DC-10, A300, and several turboprop aircraft, with Continenta Airlines, Northwest Airlink, Flight Safety International, and American Eagle Airlines. She has trained International pilots as well as pilots from the F.A.A., F.B.I., C.I.A., N.O.A.A.,Walmart, and the Government of Mexico. For several years Lori Brown has worked as a part-time instructor at College of Aviation as a lecturer, and JAA Instructor for our IPTC Program, instructing international students from British Airways, and KLM, in the classroom and 737 Simulator. She holds an Airline Transport Rating, FEX, JAA MCC, AGI and IGI certifications and type ratings. Her past and presesent affiliations with professional organization, to name a few, Alpha Eta Rho, Women in Aviation and Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Civil Air Patrol, Ninety-nines, and Coast Guard Auxiliary. She was recently nominated for WMU's, Distinguished Teacher Service Award. Her teaching assignments have centered around Line Oriented Flight Crew Simulation, Airline Flight Operations, and theory course for Commercial Pilot and Multi-Engine pilot certification, Aviation Meteorology, and Advanced Aircraft Systems Laboratory. She also teaches Community Education Programs for Community Enrichment Programs, to promote aviatio n in our community. Her current research investigates the interface between flight deck and cabin crews during onboard emergencies and the communicaton barriers that exist which can impede the flow of information between cockpit and cabin environments.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.5132 Fax: (269) 964.6473 kevin.high@wmich.edu	Kevin High Associate Professor Mr. Kevin C. High earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Technology from Purdue University and went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Webster University. Kevin is an FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic who also holds a private pilot certificate. Before joining Western Michigan university's faculty in 20000, Kevin worked in Vincennes University as an Aviation Maintenance Technology Coordinator. While at Vincennes University, Kevin participate in designing and writing a new FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance curriculum. He also taught aviation maintenance classes, and advised students on their career paths. Prior to working at Vincennes Kevin spent 12 years working with aircraft turbine engines in the manufacturing and airline industry. Mr. High will be teaching Reciprocating Engine Overhaul (AVS 360) and Aircraft Turbine Engines and Systems (AVS 464).
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.6740 Fax: (269) 964.6473 willem.homan@wmich.edu	Willem Homan Professor Dr. Homan holds a Doctorate in Leadership from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from Arizona State. He also completed a Master's in Aeronautical Technology at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and is a licensed pilot (ATP) and Flight Instructor. Willem teaches courses in Safety, Crew Resource Management, Aviation Law, and Flight Physiology. His research focuses on safety and performance in the aviation workplace. Areas of investigation include human factors, air transportation safety, and flight simulation. Dr. Homan's current papers center on the globalization of air travel, safety issues confronting air transportation professionals and the challenges associated with the utilization of simulated training environments in the aviation industry. He has numerous publications and recently received a NASA grant (in collaboration with Wayne State University) to study safety issues at the Kennedy Space Center.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.7846 Fax: (269) 964.6473 william.rantz@wmich.edu	William Rantz Associate Professor Mr. Rantz earned his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Operations and Master of Arts degrees in Career and Technical Education and in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Western Michigan University. He is finishing his Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis. Mr. Rantz holds an ATP, CFII, MEI, and AGI certificates. He has experience in flight school management, corporate aviation, and air taxi operations. He has taught multiengine flight instruction in heavy and light twins and unusual attitude procedures and recovery in the Extra 300. Mr. Rantz’s most unique and memorable flight experience was performing as a first officer on the Kalamazoo Air Zoo’s 5-AT-C Ford Tri-motor. Currently Mr. Rantz teaches Introduction to Aviation (AVS 1200), International Navigation (AVS 3220), Airline Operations (AVS 4110), Corporate Aviation Management (AVS 424) and International Aviation (AVS 4280). Mr. Rantz is dedicated to enhancing flight training and crew performance derived from sound research methods. Mr. Rantz's current research investigates behavior-based safety, systems analysis, and total performance improvement in the aviation environment. Research is being conducted in collaboration with Western Michigan University's Department of Psychology and the University of New South Wales, Australia. One such long-term project is a behavior-based safety initiative designed to improve the safety performance of flight training. This project uses safety data to pinpoint at-risk training behaviors, which in turn prompt development of observational checklists and safety management system solutions. He became a Western Michigan University Flight Instructor in 1993 and joined the Faculty in August 1995. Mr. Rant's Homepage
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.6615 Fax: (269) 964.6473 vladimir.risukhin@wmich.edu	Vladimir Risukhin Professor Dr. Risukhin holds a Doctorate in Aeronautical Engineering from St. Petersburg Academy of Civil Aviation (Russia) and a Doctorate in Air Transport Operations from Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation (Russia). He is a full member of the International Academy of Human Problems in Aviation and Astronautics, a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a professional member of the University Aviation Association. During his career in civil aviation as a Captain / Instructor Pilot Vladimir flew airplanes Antonov-2, Yakovlev-40, Antonov-12, Ilyushin-76, Airbus-310, Boeing-767, and Boeing-777. His total flight time is over 15,000 hours. Dr. Risukhin teaches courses in Aerodynamics, Airline Flight Operations, Line Oriented Flight Crew Simulation, and International Aviation. His research focuses on aircraft flight automation, flight crew performance, flight crew training, and aviation student education. Vladimir's research results have been reflected in more than 30 articles and 2 books (Controlling Pilot Error: Automation - published in the USA, and Automation – translated into Chinese and published in the Peoples Republic of China). In 2002 Vladimir became a faculty member of the WMU College of Aviation and retired from Aeroflot - Russian Airlines.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.6652 Fax: (269) 964.6473 aardema@wmich.edu	Robert Aardema Associate Professor Mr. Aardema received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hope College with additional undergraduate work in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University. He continued as an undergraduate studying Aircraft Technology at Western Michigan University and earned his Master of Science in Manufacturing Administration from WMU as well. After working for a time as a corporate pilot and flight department manager, he joined the faculty at WMU in 1979. Mr. Aardema is a former U.S. Air Force and Michigan Air National Guard pilot who retired in 1993 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. With time in such aircraft as the KC-135, O-2, A-37, and A-10, as well as numerous civilian aircraft, he also holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with Single and Multi-engine Land, Instrument rating and Certificated Flight Instructor. In addition, he is an A & P mechanic with an Inspection Authorization. Mr. Aardema teaches such courses as Aircraft Structures, Systems, Engines and Advanced Aerodynamics.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.6741 Fax: (269) 964.6473 blair.balden@wmich.edu	Blair Balden Associate Professor Dr. Balden joined the WMU faculty in 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Regents College and a Master's degree in Technology Education from West Virginia University. He received his Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006, graduating magna cum laude. Dr. Balden has been active in the aviation industry for over 25 years. He has experience in aircraft manufacturing, having worked for Cessna, Learjet, and Raytheon. He worked in avionics/electrical systems installation and testing, as well as in quality assurance/inspection. While employed at Raytheon, Dr. Balden was selected by the FAA to serve as a Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representative (DMIR). He has worked for several air carriers, including Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle (Grumman G-73, G-73T), American Airlines (MD-80), United Feeder Service (BAe ATP), and Spirit Airlines (MD-80). He is an FAA-licensed Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic. He holds an Inspection Authorization (IA) from the FAA, and a General Radiotelephone Operator License with Radar Endorsement from the FCC. Dr. Balden was first designated by the FAA as a Mechanic Examiner (DME) in 1999. He is also an Examiner for FCC licensing. His research interests are in the occupational licensing and professional credentialing of aviation maintenance personnel; he has published several articles and given several presentations in this area. Before coming to WMU, he taught Aviation Technology for four years at Fairmont State College in West Virginia. His primary teaching areas are avionics, electrical systems, and aviation law.
Office: 1510 AEC Phone: (269) 964.4982 Fax: (269) 964.6473 martin.grant@wmich.edu	Martin Grant Faculty Specialist II - Lecturer

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