About Aeronautica
A team of aeronautical experts
Aeronautica was started by industry veteran James Burd who has worked at multiple OEMS and numerous projects as an Aerospace Structures engineer and FAA DER. From day, one James Burd has lead an all-star team with key engineering personnel handpicked from leading aerospace companies. With offices in South Carolina, Aeronautica has a well-rounded, highly technical engineering team, including specialists in structural design and analysis as well as certification.
James Burd—Founder/Owner
James Burd, President – James has over 36 years of experience in the aircraft industry as a structures, stress and damage tolerance engineer. He has been an FAA DER since 1998 with delegations for full airframe structural design, static strength, fatigue and damage tolerance and process specifications for FAR’s Part 23, 25, 26, 27 and 29. James started his career in the USAF where he served as the ASIP manager for the C-5 aircraft. Since then, he has worked at L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Lockheed Martin. James graduated from North Carolina State University in 1987 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. He has worked on numerous military and commercial aircraft programs including both type certification efforts as well as modifications.
“I’ve been working in the aerospace industry for 35 years, and I am still excited by new projects”
– James Burd, Founder of Aeronautica
Chris Mazur
Chris Mazur, Principal Structural Engineer – Chris has 38 years commercial and military airplane engineering and project management experience with an emphasis on damage tolerance. He graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Aerospace Engineering and an MS in Mechanical Engineering. During his career he has been exposed to a broad range of aircraft structure including; wing, fuselage, empennage, flaps, engine struts. Chris has developed damage tolerance methods manuals and material allowables: Fracture toughness and crack growth rate allowables testing and component damage tolerance testing. Chris also has eight years supervisory experience leading integrated product teams. He is a proven leader with a broad background in project/business management, aircraft certifications, structural integrity, fatigue, damage tolerance, and maintenance planning.
Greg Robben
Greg Robben, Principal Structural Engineer – Greg has 39 years of experience as a stress engineer performing static, fatigue and damage tolerance stress analysis of both metallic and composite aircraft primary structure. He has worked both military and commercial aircraft programs at several major aircraft companies. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
David Wiles
David Wiles, Senior Structures Engineer – David graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, brings over a decade of experience to the aviation industry. His career has been marked by successful contributions to both general aviation and military platforms, spanning projects such as complete restorations, modifications, continued airworthiness, and production support. As a member of the Aeronautica team he leads with a passion for innovation and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the field.
Steve Higgins
Steve Higgins, Principal Structural Engineer – Steve has 39 years as a structural engineer performing FE modelling, static, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis of conventional metallic materials and composites. He has worked at multiple OEMs across the world, successfully completing multiple new aircraft projects with experience coming from all stages of aircraft structural analysis from preliminary conceptual design to certification analysis and post-production modifications/repairs. Steve also has experience as a stress lead. In addition to a full 5-year engineering apprenticeship at British Aerospace, he graduated from the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University, UK with a MS in Aerospace Vehicle Design.
Steve Holcomb
Steve Holcomb, Principal Structural Loads Engineer – Steve has 35 years aircraft and project engineering experience with an emphasis on aero science and structural analysis. During his career he has worked on various modification projects supporting performance, flying qualities, external loads, icing, and structural analysis. Steve also has experience leading engineering teams on both modification and development programs. He has also worked on the development of aircraft subsystems. Steve earned his BS in AE from the University of Oklahoma and his MS in AE from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Anna Carley
Anna Carley, Business Manager – Anna graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Marketing. She has 17 years of experience in business management. She enjoys collaborating with customers and making the business side of Aeronautica run smoothly.
