Experience

President & Aerospace Engineer, HS Advanced Concepts — 2017–Present

In 2017, HS Advanced Concepts LLC was created to support unique challenges in aerospace that rely on balancing both innovative research & technology with standards and certification. HS Advanced Concepts LLC currently supports NASA by addressing the standards and certification efforts associated with electrification of advanced aircraft vehicle systems. In so doing, HS Advanced Concepts LLC is an active member of the ASTM International, and actively participates in the ASTM Committee F44 on General Aviation Aircraft and the Committee F39 on Aircraft Systems. HS Advanced Concepts LLC participates as an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Task Lead, Propulsion and Fuels Research Support — 2014–2017

Led two dozen onsite Crown Consulting, Inc., engineers, mechanics and subject matter experts, as they supported the FAA and industry Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative. The team, located at the FAA’s William J Hughes Technical Center at the Atlantic City International Airport, conducted tests in the three engine test cells, a test aircraft and a chemistry laboratory, successfully documented the results for FAA research, regulatory and industry applications.

VP Aerospace Systems, Crown Consulting, Inc. — 2008–2014

Led the Crown Consulting, Inc., team supporting NASA research activities at HQ, Ames, Dryden (now Armstrong), and Glenn Research Centers in strategic planning, independent technical assessments, in topics covering UAS, Air Traffic Management and Autonomy.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Director Aviation Safety, NASA — 2006–2008

Responsible for the overall planning, management and evaluation of NASA's efforts to conduct high-quality, cutting-edge research to produce tools, methods, and technologies to improve the intrinsic safety attributes of current and future aircraft, as well as enable the vision for the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Was responsible for an $80M-a-year budget and over 275 civil servants at each of the four NASA Research Centers.

Deputy Director for Vehicle Systems Programs, NASA — 2004–2006

Responsible for the internal operations and staff of the NASA VSP, a $575M/year technology program to advance aeronautics vehicle capabilities. Among many achievements, focused program efforts across NASA Research Centers through building a communications plan to address the complex program management structure. Implemented in two months, the plan ensured a consistent message from program leaders and effective input from staff, setting the foundation for a cohesive team. Also forged a Non-Advocate Review (NAR) process – a process hailed as the best and most transparent review of any research and technology program.

Program Assessment and Evaluation Lead, NASA — 1998–2003

Reporting to the Associate Administrators for Aeronautics Research and Aerospace Technology to assess and evaluate programs by applying systems engineering principles. In these positions, was responsible for establishing program policy consisting of program formulation, coordination and integration, as well as assessing the progress of programs against plans.

Associate Director for Programs, NASA — 1997

Assured that the funded research and technology programs supported the Enterprise’s ten enabling technology goals, as well as national goals and strategies for aeronautics and space transportation technology.

Aeronautics Controls and Guidance Program Manager, NASA — 1991–1996

Managed research in advanced flight controls and systems, including airborne windshear, advanced cockpit and air traffic control integration, controls and guidance for supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, military aircraft controls technology, and control theory. Responsible for developing key enabling technologies in Center-TRACON Automation System (CTAS), and in very high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) approach and landing system technology. The GPS technology examined kinematic carrier phase tracking, along with GPS differential approach and landing, which became the foundation upon which the Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) was developed. Managed the WAAS technology transition planning between NASA and FAA, as part of the RTCA Task Force 1, GNSS Transition and Implementation Strategy, and Task Force 3, Free Flight Implementation.

Federal Aviation Administration

Aircraft and System Safety Researcher, FAA — 1973–1991

Mr. Schlickenmaier began his research career in 1973 on all-weather landing systems for aircraft with the FAA under the Cooperative Engineering Education program with the University of Maryland as a GS-5. After graduation from the University of Maryland in 1975, he was recruited into the FAA as GS-7, and through 1986 he conducted research in aircraft safety technology and operations.

From 1985 through 1987, he was the associate program manager for the windshear training aid, and from 1986 through 1991 he led the airborne windshear advanced technology program. Mr. Schlickenmaier progressed from GS-7 in 1975 through GS-14 in 1991.

In 1988, Mr. Schlickenmaier was requested by FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, other Government agencies and representatives of the aviation industry to bring together the necessary resources to examine and document a windshear encounter by five aircraft at Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Schlickenmaier published the “Windshear Case Study: July 11, 1988,” in November 1989, based on the research compiled by his team of engineering and operational safety experts. The 552 page report has been cited as a detailed understanding of the safety and airport-operations related aspects of windshear.