WITH THE FLYING LEATHERNECKS AVIATION MUSEUM AND UC IRVINE STUDENTS

This technical presentation by UCI undergraduate and graduate students will describe the hands-on project of planning, organizing, and constructing a complete and historically accurate replica of the iconic World War I-era Curtis “Jenny” JN-4D aircraft from authentic old parts and student-manufactured new parts.

Guest Speakers: Opening remarks

•  Brigadier General Michael Aguilar (USMC Ret.), President & CEO of the Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum, and
• Dr. Julian Rimoli, Chair of UCI’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering & Dean’s Professor.

Students from UCI’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program will present their work in partnership with the new Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM), including their experience in design, modeling, materials analysis, fabrication techniques, and project management at FLAM’s Restoration Hangar at the Great Park in Irvine — all while honoring milestones in aviation history. The Hangar also houses over 50 retired and battle-tested aircraft currently under restoration that will be on display in the new aviation museum.

This seminar at UCI will highlight the impact of Experiential Learning and demonstrate how engaging students in complex, real-world projects cultivates engineering principles such as system thinking, structural integrity analysis, and work-based teamwork under authentic functional and safety constraints.

External Links:

• Link to Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum: https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/
• Link to UCI Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department: https://engineering.uci.edu/dept/mae
• Link to Meeting Location at UCI Beall Applied Innovation: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nim4vtcNje6jMUWMA