Namaskara [Greetings In My Native Language], I'm
Kevin Thomas Fernandez
M.S. Aerospace Engineering, B.E. Mechanical Engineering
Namaskara [Greetings In My Native Language], I'm
M.S. Aerospace Engineering, B.E. Mechanical Engineering
Get To Know More
Ever since I was a kid, I have wanted to build systems, explore the world, and solve problems others thought were beyond reach. I am a rebel at heart, an underdog who loves to compete and create technology that helps people.
✈︎ I am a Flight Test Operator and Controller (RPIC) at Zipline, flying autonomous eVTOL aircraft in support of FAA Type Certification — piloting 30+ simultaneous missions with ~10,000 accumulated flights on Group 3 sUAS under all weather conditions.
⚙︎ My work spans flight test operations, airworthiness risk assessment, and experimental research. I specialize in mechanical design and analysis, using CAD, FEM, and experimental validation to bridge concept and function — from UAV mission planning and ground-risk modeling to ultrasonic anti-icing research.
✧ Previously, as Airworthiness Analyst and Founding Engineer at Golden Section LLC, I developed FAA-aligned ground risk methods and mission planning integrations, earning validation interest from FAA, MAAP, and NAVAIR.
⎔ I aim to design systems that are functional, compliant, and dependable. Every project I take on is guided by the goal of building technology that works beautifully and earns its place in the real world.
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Flight Test Operator and Controller (RPIC) — Platform 2 eVTOL, FAA Type Certification
Airworthiness Analyst / Founding Engineer — UAV ground-risk platform validated with FAA, MAAP, and NAVAIR
Graduate Research Assistant — ultrasonic PZT atomization and supercooled droplet dynamics
Supported 200+ students across computational methods, structures, and fluids labs
Aerospace Research Assistant — NASA BeVERLI high-lift research
Flight Operations & Risk Assessment
Design Engineer Intern — wing spar validation with MSC Nastran/Patran
Aerospace Design Engineer Intern
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Browse My Recent
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Parametric 7075-T6 bracket for a 55 lb UAV — 31.6 MPa peak stress, first mode ~1684 Hz
Protective housing with thermal management and serviceability built in
Tool-less slide-in, snap-lock quick-swap system for 5" FPV quads — sub-10 s swaps
Jet flow rebuilt from 20 POD modes retaining >90% energy — trailing edge confirmed dominant noise source
2nd-order Navier-Stokes solver in Python, MMS-verified against ANSYS Fluent
LAMMPS molecular dynamics — shock response of FCC metals at 5–20 Å/ps
47–66% lead-time efficiency gains on tractor assembly lines via heuristic rebalancing
Blended-wing tri-copter — 4.5 N drag at 10 m/s, validated under 100 N load
Browse My
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Explore My
Indexed publications and citation history
Profile Virginia Tech and related engineering work
M.S., Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech
An Advanced Aircraft Deicing Analysis: Supercooled Liquid Dynamics under Ultrasonic Frequency and Surface Roughness Effects
Center for Research and Engineering in Aero/Hydrodynamic Technologies (CREATe)
Virginia Tech
2023 to 2025
Member
Since January 2026
• Actively participated in monthly paper selection and meetings to enhance industry knowledge.
• Engaged with experienced professionals to learn cutting edge principles and methods in flight testing.
• Collaborated with peers to discuss the latest technologies and advancements in the field.
Ridge and Valley chapter and California chapter
Member since March 2025
Member since April 2026
Houston, TX
2025
Virginia Tech Airworthiness Center, airworthiness analyst, with MAAP and VTIP
American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics
76th and 77th Annual Meeting
Washington, DC (2023), Salt Lake City, UT (2024)
An Advanced Aircraft Deicing Analysis: Supercooled Liquid Dynamics under Ultrasonic Frequency and Surface Roughness Effects
Game Changer Week
Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport (2024)
UAV ground risk analysis solution presentation
ASME 2025 Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems (SMASIS 2025)
Track: SYMP 3, Modeling, Simulation and Control of Adaptive Systems
Atomization of Supercooled Water Droplets Using High Frequency Structural Excitations via Piezoceramic Transducers
Antalya, Türkiye
5 to 9 October 2026
Aircraft Anti Icing Analysis: Water Droplet Dynamics Under High Frequency Atomization and Superhydrophobic Effects
Recognitions and
Awarded for the development of QUADRA (2025)
Music Production
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