The lecture

Matt Stinemetze, Chief Engineer at Scaled Composites, will share anecdotes of his working on some of the world’s most interesting aircraft. His experience at Scaled Composites has given him a unique view of risks and rewards, as well as an insider’s look at the aerospace industry. He will discuss first-hand accounts of working with legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan as well as SpaceShipOne (which won the Ansari X-Prize in 2004), SpaceShipTwo, Stratolaunch, and some personal exploits building and designing prototype and homebuilt airplanes. Matt will use himself as an example of dreaming big, shooting for your goals, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers.

The speaker

Matthew Stinemetze is Chief Engineer at Scaled Composites, an aviation and aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan in Mojave, California. Matt joined Scaled in 1998 and for twenty years he’s amassed new skills and learned the “ins and outs” of design on everything from a prototype Toyota airplane to the record setting SpaceShipOne commercial spacecraft. He has held roles from Designer through Program Manager and Flight Test Engineer.  Matt is currently Scaled’s Chief Engineer and is helping with Stratolaunch, the world’s largest aircraft. In his free time, he built a Rutan Long EZ, is designing and building a WWII aircraft replica, and is currently modifying an aerobatic biplane, “because seeing the world from upside down gives one perspective.” A native of Hutchinson, Kansas, Matt’s passion for every type of flying machine was fueled by family field trips the Cosmosphere, numerous aircraft museums, and countless airshows. His tenacity for designing and building model airplanes in his youth turned into a pursuit of real aircraft design at Wichita State University where he received his BS in Aerospace Engineering.

Admission tickets

The event is free and open to the public; however, e-tickets are required.

Parking

Parking is free in Library parking lots and along the west side of Holmes Street between 51st and 52nd streets. The main entrance to the Library grounds is on Cherry Street. The Linda Hall Library is not affiliated with UMKC. Parking in all UMKC lots is by permit or meter.

Further reading

• Guthrie, Julian. How to Make a Spaceship. Penguin Press, 2016.