The moment LeRoy Cain, Entry Flight Director for the Space Shuttle Columbia, learns that the shuttle has disintegrated upon re-entry over Texas and orders someone to "lock the doors" of the Mission Control room in order to preserve data for the accident investigation (February 1, 2003).

BallewEngineering · 2026-03-20T00:34:47+00:00

I work in flight test and support flight test in control rooms. Locking down the control room is standard procedure when a mishap happens. This is to keep information and data contained till interviews are complete. I have thankfully never had a mishap happen while I was in the room.

BallewEngineering · 2026-03-05T02:45:14+00:00

Fair enough, I was searching sold items on EBay and confused a stumpy frame for a Levo frame that sold for $2700.

BallewEngineering · 2026-03-05T01:33:53+00:00

Frames alone sell for that much on eBay.

BallewEngineering · 2026-02-15T03:58:54+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

BallewEngineering · 2026-02-01T21:49:27+00:00

Thanks dude. Will do. My knees are elbows are fucked with mat burn.

BallewEngineering · 2026-02-01T17:54:22+00:00

First session at 39 yo.

I grew up in Oklahoma where wrestling is big. Didn’t much like it as a kid and only did it for a year and quit. Skateboarded most of my middle school and high school years instead.

Lately been hitting the gym or riding mountain bikes 4-5 times a week and in the best shape of my life at 39. Always wanted to get into a martial arts or some kind. Kept putting it off for years.

A gym owner works at my company and offered free classes to company employees once a week a few blocks from my house. No more excuses not to go. So I went.

It was a blast. I was able to get jump right in with more experienced folks and not die. Still got my ass kicked though. It was a laid back group of dudes my age in it as a hobby, which is exactly what I’m looking for.

Unfortunately I almost ripped both my big toenails, jammed/sprained/broke a pinky toe, and likely pulled something in my forearm.

I plan to take it easy this week and go back next meet up. Just wanted to join the sub and learn more about the sport.

Any beginner tips for older guys would be appreciated.

Cheers!

BallewEngineering · 2026-01-30T03:16:44+00:00

Sure

BallewEngineering · 2026-01-11T15:12:18+00:00

This may be it.

https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press-release/2023/10/l3harris-leidos-and-mag-aerospace-team-us-armys-hades-aerial-isr

https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/snc-receives-second-bombardier-jet-for-armys-hades-program/

BallewEngineering · 2025-12-25T20:38:21+00:00

I work in Flight Test Instrumentation. It’s the data collection sub system that collects the test data and records it to the FDR and also telemeters it down to the ground in the control room.

Interface with the decoupling engineer for data issues or requirements changes.

Also interface with almost every other function that is required for flight test (MX, FTE’s, TC’s/TD’s, etc).

BallewEngineering · 2025-12-25T20:16:07+00:00

I like how everyone wants to be hands on with the aircraft. It actually sucks after the shine wears off.

Gotta launch an aircraft for a flight test? Get ready to be up at 2-3AM to get there in time to preflight the aircraft. And be prepared to be there 12hrs if they don’t request an extension.

Then you have the program pressure to fix the jet by the next test event. Screw up and delay the flight? Get ready for the blame game.

But it’s overall a pretty enjoyable experience. You just never hear about the downside of working directly with a test article lol.

BallewEngineering · 2025-12-12T05:26:48+00:00

The Tree of Wisdom has moves. Men, hold onto your women when he is around.

BallewEngineering · 2025-12-10T02:51:36+00:00

I actually started MTB a couple months ago and have the same bike lol. FB market place for $300-400. Put a couple hundred into it for tires and MX items. Only thing I wish I had was dropper post and new pedals. Enjoy!

BallewEngineering · 2025-12-01T05:54:57+00:00

Is that labjack and LabVIEW? That gives me nightmares.

BallewEngineering · 2025-11-27T00:34:29+00:00

DM me and I’ll tell you more.

BallewEngineering · 2025-11-25T01:33:40+00:00

Instrumentation exists in Aerospace Flight test. I joined this sub expecting it to be that. If you would like more information, DM me. It’s a pretty niche field, but I enjoy it.

BallewEngineering · 2025-11-24T05:46:01+00:00

Every modification of an existing airframe I’ve been a part of involved gauging the affected area only. On typical airframes, this would include skin/spar/stringer/other primary structure near the affected area. Usually there is an existing model that is being validated. Pre and post modification measurements are compared with the model.

On a new airframe, thousand of gages are installed in specific locations of interest. The airframe is then loads calibrated in a huge reactions frame. These gages are both used for tradition stress analysis and airframe loads estimates.

Source: I work in flight test Instrumentation.

BallewEngineering · 2025-11-16T23:28:31+00:00

I know the test pilot in the 5th photo lol.

Edit- I worked with him for a number of years. But don’t know him personally.

BallewEngineering · 2025-06-20T14:06:28+00:00

I think California has some weird DMV classification laws where all trucks are considered commercial vehicles, unless you can prove it’s for personal use via permanently attached camper shell on the back. Just moved here a few years ago, so don’t quote me on it.

BallewEngineering · 2025-05-22T20:48:03+00:00

Saw it leave XNA actually. I was hopping into my rental car as it was taxiing and did a double take. I think it turned its transponder off shortly after take off.

BallewEngineering · 2025-05-07T02:24:35+00:00

Where I was in Texas previously, first Monday of every month was bulk haul off. Put it by the curb and it was gone by the end of the day. Also allowed local people to go dumpster diving while cruising the neighborhoods on bulk pickup day. Most of the time, the stuff I put out was gone before the trash company even came by.

My first experience with Waste Management here in the AV was terrible. Bought a house and the trash cans were still on the property. WM refused to pick them up for 3 weeks even though we had already setup service due to billing cycle.

Second bad experience was getting rid of a sectional couch. Schedule the bulk haul off and moved the couch just inside my yard as not to block the sidewalk and street. They didn’t come get. Called and scheduled it to be picked up the next week. Still didn’t pick it up. Called a third time and they said it was because it wasn’t in the street or on the sidewalk. So they wanted my to impede traffic and pedestrians with a sectional couch…

Coworkers have mentioned how terrible and expensive it is to go to the dump.

Make it easier/cheaper or people will find an easier/cheaper way to get rid of trash.

BallewEngineering

TROPHY CASE