Blaine Allen

Multi-disciplinary Engineer
& Aerospace Mechanic

I’m determined to help accelerate the advent of the Space Age.

My experiences and work ethic provide me with exceptional qualifications in several fields critical to this effort.

Experience Summary

Problem Solving

Air Force Crew Chief Mechanic: KC-135 Stratotanker Craftsman

Maintained military aircraft, ensuring continuous and reliable operation of flight systems to accelerate mission timelines.

Responsible for signing off on final system checkouts before crewed flight.

Details below

Engineer & Space Science Educator for the South Texas Astronomical Society

Various engineering and astronomy projects to help “ignite the curiosity of space exploration” in the RGV community.
Guiding engineering of hybrid rocket (NO2 + HTPB) for Brownsville/Los Fresnos student team for 10,000 ft altitude attempt.

STARSociety Website

Engineering repairs for the Observatory at the Brownsville Southmost Library

After the dome collapsed in 2020, the observatory has been out of commission. The city of Brownsville asked our team at the South Texas Astronomical Society to help rebuild the structure, where I took the lead in the engineering effort.

Observatory Overview

2023 NASA Students to Launch

Organized and led a NASA model rocket build program with 50 students to instruct about the Artemis Program and the missions to return to the Moon and beyond.

Project Details

Lead and Organize Regular Community Clean Up Events

Helped remove approximately 4450 gallons of debris from Boca Chica Beach over the last 5 months.

Spreadsheet of Clean Up Data

Engineered fluid flow modeling with differential equations

Developed techniques using differential equations to model fluid systems for applications in complex systems modeling.

Presentation

Engineered electrical time series analysis techniques

Designed pipeline of signal amplification, processing with fast Fourier transforms, wavelet convolutions, and source reconstruction of electrical activity.

Applications to microvolt brain activity are generalizable to other electrical systems.

Presentation

Constructed EEG (electroencephalograph) for brain computer interface applications

Developed electrical electroencephalograph hardware and software. Won first place in design competition for electrical hardware, signal processing, and pattern recognition.

Presentation

Homeless Shelter Shift Supervisor

Leveraged teamwork with algorithmic and engineering thinking to optimize and balance resource supply and demand through daily crisis situations.

Details

Aerospace Mechanic

Supervised and performed the inspection, troubleshooting, and hands-on mechanic maintenance of all aircraft systems. Responsible for signing off on specialist responsibilities and final system checkouts before crewed flights.

Engaged in over 60 temporary duty travel missions CONUS and supported over 150 missions OCONUS and through Middle East combat zone deployment.

Technician Duties & Responsibilities

Troubleshoot, inspect, install, replace, rig, or adjust (including, but not limited to):

Operations and Logistics: Managed the production and scheduling of aircraft to ensure aircraft were prepared for flight and high-priority missions.
Mechanical: Panels, sheet metal failure/cracks, corrosion identification, windows, flight control surfaces (ailerons, flaps, speed brakes), horizontal and vertical stabilizer, landing gear assembly, brake assembly, cables/wire rope accessories, rivets, fasteners, bolts, clamps, grommets, screws, gaskets, safety wire, etc.
High-pressure Hydraulic/Pneumatic: cylinders, motors, pumps, snubbers, valves, adapters, fittings, couplers, gauges, hoses, o-rings, etc.
Electrical: 3-phase motors, AC motors, DC motors, linear actuators, engine ignitors, radome, centrifugal blowers/fans, switches, relays, solenoids, indicator lights, all aircraft lighting systems, circuit breakers/fuses, breaker/fuse panels, various wiring and wire harness maintenance, etc.
Service: ~5000 psi pneumatic nitrogen and hydraulic fluid servicing, gaseous aviators breathing oxygen (GOX), F-108 jet engine hydraulic fluid and oil
Inspection: Inspected aircraft with extreme attention to detail for serviceability, part compliance, corrosion identification, installation errors, flight/mission damage, and manufacturing defects. Aircraft inspection detail varying from 30 minutes to 4+ hours (preflight, post-flight, etc) and certified final checkout prior to crewed flight.