NASA Employees Embrace Aviation Passion Both On and Off Duty

NASA’s Glenn Research Center: A Passion for Aviation Both Professionally and Personally

NASA, an acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has a strong focus on aeronautics, as evidenced by the first "A" in its name. One of the centers that exemplifies this commitment is the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. This center is at the forefront of groundbreaking research aimed at making aviation cleaner, safer, and quieter. However, for many of the employees at NASA Glenn, the fascination with flying extends far beyond their professional duties. Let’s delve into the personal stories of a few NASA Glenn employees who share a deep, personal connection to aviation both inside and outside of work.

Jared Berg: From Childhood Enthusiast to Seasoned Pilot

Thermal Subsystem Manager for Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element

Jared Berg’s passion for aviation began in his childhood. Growing up, he would spend time with his family reading aviation books and building model planes. A significant influence in his life was attending the EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This annual event, often referred to as the "world’s greatest aviation celebration," inspired Berg to pursue flight training once he secured a full-time job at NASA.

Berg is an active member of the NASAIRS Flying Club at NASA Glenn. This club provides him with a platform to make flying more accessible and to continually learn from other experienced pilots. For over a decade now, Berg has been flying recreationally, and it has become an integral part of his life. "Flying allows an escape from the mundane and brings a sense of adventure to traveling," Berg noted. "You also get to experience nature, specifically weather but also the land you’re flying over, in a way that’s relatively raw and somehow personal."

Lindsay Kaldon: A Legacy of Aviation and Astronaut Dreams

Fission Surface Power Project Manager

Lindsay Kaldon was no stranger to jets growing up, thanks to her father, who served as an Air Force F-16 crew chief and was a member of the Thunderbirds demonstration team. Living on the base where they trained was like experiencing an airshow every day. After earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Kaldon joined the Air Force with aspirations of becoming an astronaut.

Kaldon later earned her private pilot’s license, and one of her most memorable experiences was her first solo cross-country flight. She chose Kitty Hawk, the historic site of the Wright brothers’ first flight, as her destination. At Kitty Hawk, a monument inscribed with the words "Achieved by Dauntless Resolution and Unconquerable Faith" serves as a constant source of inspiration for Kaldon. "The Wright brothers were faced with a lot of doubters who didn’t think flight was possible. Yet they proved them wrong and never gave up," she said. "When things get tough, I just close my eyes and think about that phrase."

Lori Manthey: Advocating for Women in Aviation

Chief of Administrative Services and Exchange Operations Manager

Lori Manthey’s journey into aviation began with a discovery flight in a small Cessna 150 plane. This experience hooked her on flying. After starting her full-time job at NASA, she spent weekends and evenings flying a Piper Tomahawk single-engine trainer at Lorain County Regional Airport to earn her private pilot certificate. "I love the feeling of floating in the air and seeing the world below," she said.

Manthey is a strong advocate for female pilots. She serves as the membership chair of the Lake Erie chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an organization started by Amelia Earhart in 1929. She is also a member of the Cleveland chapter of Women in Aviation. Each year, Manthey participates in Girls in Aviation Day at Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport to introduce young girls to the world of aviation. "I think it is so important to help encourage young women and girls to become part of the next generation of female pilots," she said.

Currently, Manthey is working towards earning her instrument rating, which will allow her to fly in cloudy and foggy weather conditions, essentially "blind."

Waldo J. Acosta: From Family Trips to Professional Safety Research

Icing Research Tunnel Lead Facility Engineer

Waldo J. Acosta’s love for aviation was fostered by his father, a former researcher at NASA Glenn. Acosta’s father would take the family on trips to the EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. These outings ignited Acosta’s passion for flying and set the tone for his future career in aviation.

While studying aerospace engineering at The Ohio State University, Acosta began taking flying lessons and eventually earned his private pilot’s license. Today, he oversees testing and maintenance operations at NASA Glenn’s Icing Research Tunnel, the longest-running icing wind tunnel in the world. This facility plays a crucial role in aviation safety research, helping NASA and the industry study how ice affects aircraft and testing various ice protection systems and tools.

Acosta continues to attend airshows whenever possible and has even taken both his father and wife on flights, bringing his love for aviation full circle.

NASA Glenn’s Impact on Aviation

NASA Glenn Research Center is not just a hub for cutting-edge aeronautic research; it is also a community of individuals with a deep-seated passion for flight. The center’s work aims to revolutionize aviation by making it cleaner, safer, and quieter. For instance, Glenn’s research in electric propulsion could significantly reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. Similarly, advancements in noise reduction technologies are making airports more community-friendly.

The personal stories of Jared Berg, Lindsay Kaldon, Lori Manthey, and Waldo J. Acosta highlight how this passion for aviation permeates both their professional and personal lives. Their experiences underscore the broader mission of NASA Glenn and the role it plays in fostering the next generation of aviators and aviation enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Aviation is more than just a job for many at NASA Glenn Research Center; it’s a lifelong passion. The stories of Berg, Kaldon, Manthey, and Acosta illustrate how deeply intertwined personal and professional lives can be when one works in a field they love. As NASA Glenn continues to push the boundaries of aeronautics research, the personal commitments of its employees to aviation also serve as an inspiration for future generations. Whether it’s through groundbreaking research or personal flying endeavors, the spirit of aviation is alive and well at NASA Glenn.

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