Michael "T-Rex" Tibbs

Experience

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  United States Air Force

  May 2013 - now

  Military Officer
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  U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology

  Jun 2013 - Mar 2015

  Graduate Student, Astronautical Engineering

  Please see the education section for details

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  NASIC (National Air and Space Intelligence Center)

  Mar 2015 - Dec 2016

  Assistant Flight Commander | Astronautical Engineer

  • Conducted research, development, modeling, and simulation of various adversarial space‑based systems• Developed and employed NASIC’s first three physics‑based orbital anti‑satellite threat models using MATLAB, C, Simulink, and theSatellite Toolkit (STK). These models directly influenced Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), National Reconaissance Office (NRO),and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) space acquisition programs as well as space operator tactics, techniques, and procedures• Created satellite attitude control system (ACS) algorithms using discrete Linear Quadratic‑Regulators (LQR) as well as tools to sense,control, simulate, and analyze orbital Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) that are still used within NASIC’s modeling code• Research Areas: Satellite Attitude Control, Orbital Dynamics, Proximity Operations, and Optimization Methods Show less

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  United States Air Force Test Pilot School

  Dec 2016 - Dec 2017

  Student, USAF Test Pilot School

  Please see the education section for details

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  412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base

  Dec 2017 - Jul 2019

  Flight Commander | Flight Test Engineer | Instructor Test Conductor | USAF TPS FTE/WSO CFI

  • Led group of 30 military, civilian, and contractor engineers while executing the planning, testing, and analysis of 32 B‑1, B‑2, and B‑52 flight test programs worth $242M• Executed B‑1 avionics and B‑52 hypersonic flight test safety analysis using the novel Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Method: Systems Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). Results were published with the Society of Flight Test Engineers and provided evidence that led to major changes in Edwards Air Force Base Flight Test Safety Rules and Instructions• Implemented the first ever flight test management system using the Scrum Agile method for the B‑1• Authored the initial Air Launch Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) test and safety plans using STPA with integration onto the B‑52• Certified Flight Test Engineer on the B‑52 and C‑12, executed various flight test missions working alongside test pilots and test weaponsystems officers• Certified as a B‑1, B‑2, and B‑52 instructor test conductor and flight test engineer. Taught trainees test planning, execution, and reportingin a classroom and control room environment• Overhauled 30‑year old B‑52 test process. Improved efficiency saving 646 man‑hours per year• Served as a certified flight instructor (CFI) for the United States Air Force Test Pilot School giving initial airmanship and fundamental flight test lessons to Flight Test Engineers, Weapon System Officers, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft students in the C‑172 Show less

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  Edwards AFB Aero Club

  Nov 2018 - Jul 2019

  Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI)

  Instructed students in accordance with the FAA private pilot and instrument pilot Airman Certification Standards in the C-172 (G1000) and C-182

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  AeroDynamic Aviation

  Jul 2019 - Apr 2021

  Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI)

  Instructed students in accordance with the FAA private pilot and instrument pilot Airman Certification Standards in the C-172

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  Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

  Jul 2019 - Apr 2021

  • Audited astrodynamics and test management phases of the first ever Space Test Fundamentals Course given to United States Space Force members by the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Provided feedback based on astronautics and flight test background to improve course materials and applicable topics• Directed and oversaw the academic operations of over 700 students and 300 faculty members across two departments. Facilitated operations with all five military services• Conducted dozens of academic attrition boards and student/faculty feedback sessions detailing student concerns so that beneficial changes could be made• Planned, executed, and managed student and faculty wide return to class effort amid Covid‑19. Over 450 people returned to class safely with zero Covid cases. Successfully implemented hybrid learning system with on‑line and in‑class participants• Created novel mentoring system to pair struggling students with military instructors. Each pair met one‑on‑one multiple times per week focusing on study habits and methods. This rapid mentoring approach produced immediate increases on students’ exam scores• Developed a Wikipedia‑like guide for the Japanese Department. Former graduates of the course helped populate the site with their advice. Current and future students can continue editing and refining the document into the future Show less

  • Associate Dean, Arabic and Asian Departments, Defense Language Institute

    Dec 2020 - Apr 2021

  • Student, Japanese, Defense Language Institute

    Jul 2019 - Dec 2020
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  Japan Air Self-Defense Force

  Apr 2021 - Sept 2023

  Japan Exchange F-2 | F-15 Chief Flight Test Engineer/Senior Test Pilot School Instructor

  • Serves as the sole United States military flight test engineer who is fully integrated within the JASDF Flight Test Center. This position is performed only in Japanese.• Qualified Flight Test Engineer on the JASDF F‑2B and F‑15DJ• Flight Test Engineer for bilateral aerial refueling test between the Japanese F‑2 and F-15J the Australian KC‑30. Directed test planning/logistics between two allied nations, flew 35 flight hours in the F‑2 and F‑15 during execution• First USAF exchange officer to fly the Japanese F‑2 fighter in 14 years. Promoted mutual understanding of Air Force and Japanese flight test techniques and test environments • Provides United States Air Force (USAF) perspective on a myriad of JASDF flight test programs and at the JASDF Test Pilot School• Advises and executes various F‑2, F‑15, and C‑2 flight test programs• Flight Test Engineer and primary translator for international aerial refueling test between the Japanese F‑2 and the Australian KC‑30.Directed planning and logistics of critical test between two allied nations• Instructs in Japanese at the JASDF Test Pilot School and Technical Officer Course on various flight test topics as well as Departmentof Defense Acquisitions and recent USAF Research & Development. Also instructs in the flight test control room and the F‑2 aircraftsimulator on performance and flying qualities flight test• Led the development and execution of the first‑ever JASDF integration of engineers into the JASDF Test Pilot School. Previously, onlypilots could attend• Participated in COPE NORTH 2023, an operational exercise between the United States, Australia, and Japan. Harmonized and bolsteredcommunication between nations. Provided operational and cultural perspectives. Facilitated critical collaboration for over200 participants, helping overcome language barriers• Aided in the publication and presentation of the JASDF C‑2 unpaved runway test program at the Society of Experimental Test PilotsAnnual Symposium Show less

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  Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC)

  Dec 2021 - now

  Japanese Linguist
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  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Sept 2023 - now

  Doctoral Student | SECAF STEM Fellow, Massachusetts's Institute of Technology (MIT)

  Dr. Heather Wilson SECAF STEM PhD FellowAerospace Physiology Lab and Human Systems LabDepartment of Aeronautics & AstronauticsAdvisor: Dr. Lonnie PetersenResearch Interests lie at the intersection of aerospace physiology, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Dissertation work includes modeling flight intolerance conditions for trauma patients on autonomous aircraft for Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) applications. Other interests include bioastronautics and collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) research. Show less