To whom it may concern,

My diverse attributes and experience represent an ideal background work related to the general and commercial aircraft industries. I am a detail-oriented and results-driven aerospace management and design professional with four FAA certifications: Airframe Mechanic, Powerplant Mechanic, Private Pilot, and Commercial Pilot, and have been awarded two patents for airplane safety enhancing flight deck alerting designs. 

I possess in-depth working knowledge of aerospace design, testing, certification, and systems integration. I am a detail-oriented analyst with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, am technically proficient, with an in-depth ability to manage projects from concept development through implementation. I am a customer-focused and results-oriented leader that maintains uncommon integrity that can contribute to aviation/aerospace centered organization.

My experience has been crafted from the highly technical areas of the aerospace industries as a project and portfolio manager, systems engineering integrator, flight crew interface designer, as well as an aircraft mechanic and pilot. I have fabricated, restored, maintained, repaired, and even test flown a wide variety of civilian and ex-military, high performance, and antique aircraft. My work experience spans from fleet maintenance of vintage WWII-era multi-engine aircraft, the development of high-performance composite kit aircraft, owning and operating my own airplane restoration business, repairing Boeing 777 structures, as well as training mechanics and engineers on Boeing structures and systems, to designing indication and alerting systems for all the Boeing commercial airliners currently in production.

I have 19 years of experience with The Boeing Company in a wide variety of technical roles. The list of my work history and accomplishments is far too long for this letter, but the following were some of my most enjoyable experiences and accomplishments:

As a Flight Deck Design, Flight Crew Operations Analyst, my duties include designing, developing, patenting, certifying, and supporting the implementation of new flight crew alerting features and capabilities for the autopilot and auto-throttle systems on the 737, 747, 767 and 787 sustaining programs, as well as new derivatives such as the 737 MAX and 777-X. One of my two patented designs, dubbed the Roll Command Alerting System (RCAS) was implemented on the 737 NG, 737 MAX, and 767/KC-46 Tanker programs to enhance flight crew situation awareness of autopilot roll saturation, a condition identified as being the greatest contributor to Loss of Control (LoC) incidents and accidents.

As a product integrator for the 747 Airplane Programs - Systems Integration Platform Team (IPT) organization, my engineering design, analysis, certification, and leadership efforts identified and solved numerous significant airplane developmental and sustaining issues. My biggest singular contribution, for which I received a major cash award, avoided significant schedule delays and major airplane rework (literally the replacement of every wire leading from the electronic equipment bay below the cargo deck to the flight deck) saved the 747 Airplane Program hundreds of millions of dollars during the development of the 747-8. I also demonstrated leadership through the long-term delegated authority of four different Boeing program executives, allowing me to contribute to critical engineering decision-making on a day-to-day basis. You will find copies of these delegations on the pages that follow.

I acted as a Ground Operations Engineer, which means I managed the air-vehicle and mission systems configurations for the 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) developmental aircraft operating in flight test. I managed and scheduled the maintenance requirements for three flight test aircraft, and ten aircraft in short-term storage awaiting modifications. I developed, for FAA approval, the part 91 Low Utilization Maintenance Plan (LUMP). In addition, I functioned as a system and equipment operator and safety observer aboard the 737 AEW&C Air Vehicle as well as the T-33 radar target/chase aircraft.

I even spent several rewarding years as an instructor in both classroom and laboratory settings teaching Boeing mechanics and engineers’ technical theory, shop skills and engineering drawing interpretation. 

I have a demonstrated track record of leading teams of diverse people, crafting consensus among many differing viewpoints, and designing highly creative solutions to complex technical problems. I am also very capable of learning new systems, new software, new processes, and operating in new environments. I possess natural communication skills, and a desire to work diligently for all the people I lead and support.

I may be contacted at rludtke@whidbey.com

Core Competencies

  • Flight Deck Design
  • Ergonomics and Human Factors
  • Aircraft Certification (Part 23 & 25)
  • Aircraft Testing
  • Aerospace Systems Integration
  • Airplane Program Management
  • Customer Relations
  • Technical Product Support
  • Project Management & Control
  • Team Leadership & Development
  • Process Management
  • Continuous Process Improvements
  • Informed Decision-making
  • Configuration Management

Advanced Education

 

  • Professional Aeronautics BS with Management Emphasis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide, GPA 3.5, 10/2010
  • Aviation Maintenance Technologies & Airways Sciences AS, Everett Community College (Everett, WA), GPA 3.8, 12/1989

Specialized Certifications & Training

  • U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance (Secret), 06/2006
  • Boeing Industrial Skills Education Training Certification, 12/1998
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certification, 09/1994
  • FAA Private Pilot Certification, 06/1992
  • FAA Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) Mechanic Certification, 12/1989

Design Patents

  • US-10101173-B2 System and Method for Dynamically Determining and Indicating an Aircraft Bank Limit on an Aircraft Instrument Panel, October 16, 2018
  • US-20150197329-A1 Methods and Apparatus of Notification of a Flight Asymmetry Influencing an Aircraft, October 17, 2017

Professional Experience

McLarens General Aviation

General Aviation Adjuster, Freeland WA 2/2023 – 9/2024

I handled General Aviation claims from loss to conclusion for aviation insurance company clients throughout the Western United States region.

Dynon Avionics

Marketing and Product Analyst, Woodinville WA 7/2019 – 2/2023

Employed my aviation market expertise to provide Dynon leadership with data-driven recommendations defining future projects, products, and goals. My knowledge of Dynon products helped ensure that sales/marketing/support, external partners, and internal stakeholders understand how Dynon’s increasingly complex product portfolio should be understood, sold, deployed, and supported.

Activities include product management for new and existing products, lifecycle and end-of-life product planning, market research for future products, market intelligence, and the systematic collection and dissemination of knowledge for use by sales, support, marketing, installers, and end-customers.

Certification Engineer, Woodinville WA 10/2018 – 7/2019

I was responsible for the FAA certification of Dynon SkyView HDX Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) including autopilot and yaw damper along with integrated map and VFR Navigation, Engine Monitoring System, ADS-B OUT, ADS-B IN, COM Radio, and other Dynon avionics equipment into Part 23 type certified aircraft. Activities include Compliance Showing, Certification Documentation, Fault Hazard Analysis, Flight Test Planning, Flight Test Operations, Airplane Configuration Research, Autopilot Servo Installation Manuals, Airplane Flight Manual Supplement, Avionics Installation Manual, to name a few.

Technical Support Specialist, Woodinville WA 5/2017 – 10/2018

Responsible for providing technical support to technicians installing Dynon Avionics equipment in FAA Experimental and Part 23 certificated aircraft.

The Boeing Company

Flight Crew Operations Engineering Analyst (Level 4), Flight Deck Design Center, Everett WA 11/2011 - 3/2017

Responsible for the Autopilot and Autothrottle pilot interface designs for all Boeing sustaining and new product programs; Designed and developed the Roll Command Alerting System (RCAS), a novel feature that provides flight crew awareness of when the autopilot system becomes saturated and/or upset on the roll axis. RCAS was intended improve operational safety of the 737 NG, 737 MAX, and the 767 based KC-46 tanker aircraft by use of colored symbols and text alerts placed on the Primary Flight Display, along with aural alerts. Awarded with two US design patents.

Airplane Systems Integration Analyst (Level 4), 777/767/747 Airplane Programs - Systems IPT, Everett WA 10/2006 - 11/2011

Recognized for optimal abilities in creating, managing, and directing diverse cross-functional engineering teams to successful project completions on time and under budget; Received awards for engineering solutions for problems identified during the 747-8 developmental flight testing; Held long-term delegated authority on behalf of four Boeing program executives, overseeing all aspects of critical engineering decision-making.

Ground Operations Engineer (Level 3) Puget Sound Military Flight Operations, Seattle WA 05/2006 - 09/2006

Effectively managed and oversaw maintenance requirements of three 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) testbed aircraft operating in a flight test environment, as well as ten 737 airplanes maintained in short-term storage status; I created for FAA approval, the part 91 Low Utilization Maintenance Plan; Other duties included managing and documenting the air-vehicle and mission systems test configurations, and flying on the test aircraft and T-33 chase aircraft as equipment operator and safety observer.

Flight Test Integration Analyst (Level 3) Test Program Integration, Seattle WA 01/2005 - 05/2006

Proactively managed all aspects of testing requirements while simultaneously coordinating with numerous stakeholders, ensuring that testing programs were accomplished on time and under budget.

Airplane Maintenance Engineer (Level 3) Airplane Maintenance Engineering, Seattle WA 09/2000 - 09/2003

Responsible for the Oxygen and Water/Waste ATA chapters of the Aircraft Maintenance Manuals for all Boeing commercial aircraft. Rewrote the entire 747-400 Oxygen system chapter to improve system configuration management.

Instructor/Manager Learning, Education, and Development, Everett WA 09/1997 - 09/2000

Recognized for optimal skills in the development and delivery of a broad range of classroom and lab technical aircraft systems related curricula.

Mechanical and Electrical Technician, 777 Refurbishment and Change Incorporation, Everett WA 09/1996 – 09/1997

Demonstrated exceptional skills in refurbishing and incorporating changes of 777 flight test airplanes to meet certification configurations prior to customer delivery.

Teague

Mechanical Designer, Aviation Design Studios, Everett WA 10/2003 – 1/2005

Designed and directed the fabrication and assembly of full-scale sales, engineering enabling, and validation mock-ups of aircraft interiors, structures, and systems for Boeing Commercial Airplanes 787 programs. I designed products using solid modeling software such as CATIA version 5, and Solidworks.

Aubeta Motorsports

Manager 12/95 to 09/96

I managed and accomplished the maintenance, modifications, and testing of the corporate aircraft fleet, as well as company and customer owned Formula Mazda Gran Prix racecars. I provided trackside race vehicle support, aerobatic contest ramp support and critique, the transportation of team race vehicles, and aircraft re-positioning.

ExtraordinAir

Owner / Operator 10/1990 – Present

My company specialized in the inspection, maintenance, restoration, fabrication, repair, and flight operations of unique and special interest aircraft. Responsibilities included project management, marketing, sales, customer service, detail design, fabrication, and finishing. I have conducted inspection, maintenance and repairs, construction, modifications, and/or restoration of a wide variety of aircraft, including (but not limited to):

  • Monocoupe 110 Special
  • Pitts Specials S-1C, D, T, S-2B
  • Taylorcraft
  • Beechcraft models D17 & F17 Staggerwing
  • Giles G-200, G-202
  • Douglas A-26 Invader
  • Vans RV-4, -6
  • Yakevlov Yak 3-UM82, Yak-52, Yak-55

Regal Air

Mechanic / Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance Department 9/1994 to 9/1996

I conducted aircraft inspections, maintenance, and repairs, and conducted maintenance test and re-positioning flights of company and customer aircraft.

Stoddard International

Facilities Manager 10/1992 – 6/1994

I conducted facilities and equipment management, inspection, maintenance and repair, production fixture design & fabrication, and composite tool making activities for a Boeing D1-9000 certified vendor of composite components.

Stoddard Hamilton 

R&D Mechanic / Pilot 10/1989 – 10/1992

My responsibilities included composite aircraft prototype construction, research and development, aircraft flight-test, aircraft inspection, maintenance, repair, and customer/builder support of the Glasair IIS prototype and the Glasair III Turbocharged prototype aircraft.

Methow Aviation Air Freight

Mechanic 12/1987 – 12/1989

I conducted inspection, maintenance, testing, repairs, and the overhaul of large, multi-engine aircraft fleet, including:

  • Beechcraft Model 18
  • Turbine Beechcraft Model 18 (Westwind conversion)
  • Beechcraft King Air
  • Beechcraft 99
  • Douglas DC-3/C-47
  • Curtis C-46 Commando
  • Piper Aztec

Pilot Experience

Professional Recommendations

As provided to Linked In

Angelique Bowen

787 Systems Director

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

August 4, 2017

 

I highly recommend Rick, he can tackle complex technical challenges and consistently brings a positive, collaborative attitude. I had the pleasure of working with him on a flight deck feature that provides an incredible safety benefit via an integrated display and aural implementation. His skills in human factors, design and test were essential to successful implementation and certification.

Felipe Colon

Electrical & Electronics Design Engineer

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

June 6, 2017

To Whom it May Concern, I have personally worked side by side with Rick in several Flight Controls, Cabin Systems and Electrical Subsystems projects. His depth and breadth of knowledge is so extensive that he always kept me in awe when working on design and systems concepts. He is not only an awesome systems design engineer but also a great teacher. Working with him I learned so much more about Engineering, Aeronautics, both theoretical and hands-on design. I am a firm believer that whoever hires him will be assured someone who can innovate and help that company grow.

 

Bill Bresley

Flight Deck Design, Flight Crew Operations

Flight Controls Lead Engineer

Associate Technical Fellow

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

May 23, 2017

 

It was great to have Rick working for me on aviation projects ranging from new designs to in-service issues. Our small group couldn’t have succeeded without him. He is a very creative person, always thinking outside the box for a solution to a problem. Rick has experience as a mechanic and a pilot, so he brings a unique knowledge base to the table, allowing him to look at each problem from different perspectives. Rick is easy going, easy to work with, but very hard working. He always brings energy and excitement to every new project and is always willing to take on any task.

Dave Bennett

Flight Controls Power Systems

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

May 19, 2017

 

I've known Rick personally and professionally for several years. Besides being all around pleasure to know, Rick stands out as someone willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. He is familiar with diving into issues and getting quick and reasonable solutions. He is not inhibited by stepping outside his comfort zone but has the wisdom to seek out answers from others. Rick is a great team player. He has a diverse background in aircraft which facilitates his ability to work on a wide spectrum of issues.

Robert Myers

Flight Deck Design, Flight Crew Operations

Technical Fellow

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

May 15, 2017

 

I had the pleasure of working with Rick for over five years. He is hard working, affable, and passionate. His work is extremely thorough and demonstrates his attention to detail. He embraces the complexity inherent in most technical issues and works with team members to learn the intricacies of a problem and does not jump to a hasty conclusion. He successfully worked through a wide range of tasks while I worked with him and demonstrated an ability to work across numerous technical disciplines and a steep learning curve. Rick certainly has the knowledge, skill and positive attitude to positively contribute to a wide variety of organizations.

Doug Jacobs

Flight Deck Design, Flight Crew Operations

Lead Engineer, Airplane Systems 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

May 15, 2017

 

Rick's knowledge of aviation is impressive. Before his Boeing career he was an aerobatic pilot and certified aircraft mechanic. This background gave him a unique perspective to our flight deck designs. He possesses a good breadth of aircraft systems knowledge. His work on improving commercial aviation safety is especially appreciated.

Randy Mumaw

Flight Deck Design, Flight Crew Operations

Human Factors Engineer

Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

May 15, 2017

I worked with Rick on a project to develop a new alerting scheme on the flight deck. We identified two flight hazards, each of which had occurred in airline operations with significant safety consequences. Rick took the lead in working on the potential operational issues in the simulator to ensure that the new scheme worked well when it needed to and didn't add any new problems. Rick was proactive, systematic, and thorough in laying out the operational issues and identifying the set of simulator evaluations we needed to complete. Rick was always a positive collaborator who was focused on identifying and solving problems. He was also able to call upon his extensive pilot knowledge in his analysis of operational issues. He played a key role in turning an alerting scheme into an actual working alerting system that is now delivered on 737s. 

 

Mark Forkner

737 MAX Chief Technical Pilot

Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

May 12, 2017

 

I worked closely with Rick on several high visibility projects for the 737, including those required for certification of the new 737 MAX. Rick is an intelligent, articulate engineer that works very well in a team environment. He'd be a welcome member to any engineering team!

Clay Warner

747 Fleet Chief

Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

March 23, 2009

 

Rick is an extremely conscientious, technically adept individual whose value of relationships really shows in his work. Rick takes his responsibilities seriously, and he always strives to involve all stakeholders in his decision making. I have always found Rick to be reliable and reasonable, and I recommend him with no reservation. He has good project management skills and people really enjoy working with him.

Krijn de Jonge

767 Fleet Chief

Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

March 31, 2009

Rick represents his organization at meetings where we review status/progress of major projects. He is always very knowledgeable on the issues they are responsible for, which ensures very efficient reviews. He is trusted for his contributions during the meetings.

Executive Delegations of Authority

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