Greg Mellema

Assistant Professor, College of Aeronautics
Department of Graduate Studies
Worldwide College of Aeronautics
Worldwide campus

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Central)

Areas of Expertise

Advanced composite manufacturing and repair.

External Links

The views expressed on faculty and external web pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Greg Mellema entered Army aviation in 1985 and has been an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic since 1988. He holds an Inspection Authorization (I.A.) from the FAA and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Aviation Maintenance Technology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr. Mellema’s experience spans 30 years working on both civilian and military aircraft, in peace-time and in combat, designing, building and repairing both metallic and advanced composite aircraft structures. Dr. Mellema holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics, a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science and a Ph.D in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Dr. Mellema is a noted author and the U.S. Army’s subject matter expert in advanced composite manufacturing and repair. He is the current chairperson of the composites sub-committee at SpaceTEC & CertTEC offering the industry’s only performance-based composite certification. Mr. Mellema is also a member of the advisory board for the Department of Energy’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) as well as an active member of SAMPE, ACMA, and PAMA.

Prior to coming to Embry-Riddle, Dr. Mellema worked for the U.S. Army’s Prototype Integration Facility (PIF) at the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) where he founded the PIF Advanced Composites Lab in 2010. Since then, Dr. Mellema and his team have received numerous accolades for developing prototype advanced composite parts, training, and repair techniques for Army aviation, including receipt of the Army Aviation Association of America, Inc. (AAAA) Material Readiness Award for Contributions by an Industry Team (2013) for advancing the Army capability in advanced composite maintenance and repair.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.A.S. - Master of Aeronautical Science in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Profess Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Certificate - CertTEC Composite Subcommittee Chair
  • Certificate - General Composite Repair Technician
  • Certificate - CertTEC Basic Composites Examination
  • Certificate - CertTEC Basic Composites
  • Certificate - CertTEC Examiner Certification (Basic Composites Examination)
  • Certificate - CertTEC Performance Certification (Basic Composites)
  • FAA Inspection Authorization
  • A&P - Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
  • Remote Pilot

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2005 to present):

• Aviation Maintenance Management: A Global Perspective (ASCI 419)

• Aviation Maintenance Capstone Course (AMNT 490)

• General Aeronautics and Applications (AMNT 240)

• Aircraft Electrical Systems Theory (AMNT 260)

• Airframe Structures and Applications (AMNT 270)

• Airframe Systems and Applications (AMNT 271)

• Powerplant Theory and Applications (AMNT 280)

• Aircraft Propulsion Systems and Applications (AMNT 281)

• Aircraft Maintenance Management (ASCI 609)

• Aviation/Aerospace Safety Program Management (ASCI 621)

• Integrated Logistics in Aviation Management (ASCI 644)

• Safety, Health and Environmental Legislation, Litigation & Compliance (SFTY 530)

• Leadership in Global Aviation Maintenance Organizations (MAVM 601)

• Global Maintenance Resource Management (MAVM 605)

• Strategic Management of Global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Operations (MAVM 615)

• Project Management for Aviation Maintenance (MAVM 620)

• Aviation Maintenance Graduate Capstone (MAVM 691)

Abaris Training (1998 – 2008):

• Advanced Composites: Fabrication & Damage Repair - Phase I

• Advanced Composites: Fabrication & Damage Repair - Phase II

• Advanced Composites: Fabrication & Damage Repair - Phase III

• Adhesive Bonding of Metals and Composites

• Repair of Adhesively Bonded Aluminum Structures

• Tooling for Advanced Composite Manufacturing

• Repair Tooling for Advanced Composites

Central Texas College (2005):

• English Composition I (ENGL 1301)

• English Composition II (ENGL 1302)

• Technical and Business Writing (ENGL 2311)

Cochise College (1989 – 1991):

• General (AMT 150)

• Basic Airframe (AMT 160)

• Advanced Airframe (AMT 260)

• Basic Powerplant (AMT 270)

• Advanced Powerplant (AMT 275)

Dorworth, L., Gardiner, G., Mellema, G. (2010). Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication and Repair, Aviation Supplies & Academics, Newcastle, WA. (textbook).

Mellema, G. (2003). (Invited author of book chapter on advanced composites) Book title: "Aviation Mechanic Handbook". Chapter title: "Section 17 – Composites." See Crane, D. Aviation Supplies & Academics, Newcastle, WA.

Robeson, M., Camp, D., Mellema, G. (2017). Expedient Repair for Composite Structures, Proceedings of the American Helicopter Association Forum 73. May 2017, Dallas, TX.

Mellema G. (2016). Supportability of Advanced Composite Structures: Considerations for the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator. Proceedings of the American Helicopter Association Forum 72. May 2016, West Palm Beach, FL.

Mellema G. (2016). From the Ground, Up: A Maintainer’s Perspective on Designing Composite Structures for Supportability. Proceedings of the Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing Conference (AERODEF), Feb 2016, Long Beach, CA.

Mellema, G. (2010, December). Demystifying Composite Repair on Modern Rotorcraft. HeliMX Magazine.

http://www.readoz.com/publication/read?i=1032655#page6

Mellema, G. (2007, April). Margin for Error – Zero (rotor blade repair). Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine.

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10378409/margin-for-error-zero

Mellema, G. (2005 September). Helicopter Maintenance Challenges in Afghanistan. Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine.

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10385668/helicopter-maintenance-challenges-in-afghanistan

Mellema, G. (2004, September). Advanced Composites and Helicopters. Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine.

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10386467/advanced-composites-helicopters?page=2

Mellema, G. (2003). Development of Composite Technology Instructors – The Need for Change in FAR Part 147 Curriculum. Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) annual symposium proceedings, Indianapolis, IN.

Mellema, G. (2002, October). Safety Issues with Advanced Composite Materials

Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine.

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10387483/safety-issues-with-advanced-composite-materials

Mellema, G. (2001, August). Survive and thrive in Your Career. Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine.

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10387999/survive-and-thrive-in-your-career?page=2

Member of AUVSI, SAMPE, ACMA, SAE

Recipient - 2014 Army Aviation Association of America Materiel Readiness Award for a Contribution by an Industry Team, Group or Special Unit