Aerion Corporation is an advanced aeronautical engineering organization headquartered in Reno, Nevada, with a sister engineering group in Palo Alto, California. The company was formed to develop and commercialize a fundamental breakthrough in supersonic transportation.

Aerion engineers are experienced with developing and applying advanced computational methods for aerodynamic analysis and multidisciplinary design optimization. Others are skilled in the science of boundary layer flow physics as well as wind tunnel and flight test management.

Together, we're a group of aerospace enthusiasts with a passion for innovation, speed and pushing the aviation envelope.

The Etymology of Aerion

Aerion's name borrows from the Greek myth of Arion, the horse-son of Poseidon and Demeter. In Iliad, Homer wrote of Arion,

... there is no man that shall catch thee by a burst of speed, neither pass thee by, nay, not though in pursuit he were driving goodly Arion, the swift horse of Adrastus, that was of heavenly stock ...

Arion was also ridden by Heracles during battle and was revered for saving the lives of his riders with his speed.

Robert Bass, Chairman

Mr. Bass is president of Keystone, Inc., and the founder of the Oak Hill investment partnerships, comprised of over $30 billion of investments. As a native of Fort Worth, Texas, he has devoted much of his time to public service. Mr. Bass received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.

Brian Barents, Vice Chairman

Mr. Barents leads our effort to produce the Aerion supersonic business jet (SBJ). He is the former CEO of Learjet and Galaxy Aerospace. There he was responsible for the introduction of new-technology business jets. He is also a past chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and a retired Brigadier General in the United States Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard.

Doug Nichols, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Nichols, former Boeing executive, is responsible for all operating, financial, and business development and marketing activities of Aerion, including SBJ development partnerships and industrial collaborations. In his nearly 30 years with Boeing, he gained extensive experience in operational and financial management of aircraft programs, market evaluation and product development, supply base management, support logistics, and marketing and sales. Mr. Nichols earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Puget Sound.

Michael Henderson, Principal Scientist, Director

Mr. Henderson, a founding member and past president of the Flight Research Institute, served as Boeing's chief project engineer for enabling technologies and program manager for High Speed Civil Transport. He also led Boeing's High-Lift Research Unit. Mr. Henderson earned his Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan.

James Stewart, Director

Mr. Stewart is Group Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Aerospace MRO Network and former Chief Financial Officer of Bombardier Aerospace. He also served as vice president of finance, New Commercial Aircraft Programs at Bombardier. He received his Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from Queen's University Belfast with honors in business administration and accounting. Mr. Stewart is a fellow in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Dr. Richard Tracy, Chief Technology Officer, Director

Dr. Tracy developed the natural laminar flow supersonic wing and conducted research on its capabilities both privately and under DARPA grants. He has worked on both civil aircraft and defense programs including the Global Hawk and the single-stage-to-orbit X-30. Dr. Tracy holds three degrees from Cal Tech., including a PhD in hypersonic aerodynamics.

Robert Morse, Director

Mr. Morse is a principal of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., which manages more than $4 billion in private equity funds. He has also worked as a research fellow at NASA Goddard Space Center. Mr. Morse earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.

James Chase, Chief Engineer

Mr. Chase leads the advanced design activities for Aerion's SBJ and is the principal engineering resource for the design of NLF supersonic aircraft. He has consulted on several general aviation and DARPA projects involving configuration, performance, propulsion integration, weights and structures. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho.

Dr. Ilan Kroo, Associate Principal Scientist

Dr. Kroo has been a key collaborator in determining the extent of laminar flow and optimizing supersonic aircraft. He has consulted for all major airframe manufacturers and serves on numerous government committees and research organizations. Dr. Kroo received his doctoral degree in aeroelasticity and flutter from Stanford University, where he is now professor of aeronautics and astronautics.

John Holding, Senior Advisor

Mr. Holding, a founding member of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec, advises on the development of the Aerion SBJ. At Bombardier Aerospace, he introduced one new aircraft every year – an unprecedented performance in aerospace. He received his Master of Science degree from Manchester University and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

For inquiries, please contact us

Aerion Corporation
1325 Airmotive Way, #370
Reno, NV 89502-3295
(775) 337-6682

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