Brian Chapman

Brian Chapman, Principle Engineer at ChapAero has joined AST to lead aircraft performance engineering solutions for compliance, development, and efficiency-related programs. Retired United Airlines Engineer, Brian was responsible for the development and application of aircraft performance programs for takeoff and landing gross weights, weight and balance, flight planning performance, mission analysis, and new airplane evaluations.

After earning a degree in Aerospace Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Brian joined Douglas Aircraft Co. in 1970 and served in various design support roles. He found a home in the Aerodynamics Department, where he helped obtain FAA Certification for new versions of DC airplanes. During his airline career, Brian was responsible for airplane performance and weight & balance at Southern Airways, North Central Airways, and Republic Airlines. Joining United Airlines in 1984, he led the development of an updated, more robust system to compute takeoff and landing gross weights. Prior to retiring from United in 2011, Brian served as Chairman of the IATA Standard Computerized Airplane Performance (SCAP) Committee and he helped organize and served as Vice President of the Society of Aircraft Performance and Operations Engineers (SAPOE).