Robert Knochenhauer
- Title
- Adjunct Faculty, College of Aviation
- knochenr@erau.edu Email
- Department
- Department of Applied Aerospace Science
- College
- College of Aviation
Biography
Robert Knochenhauer is an adjunct faculty in the Department of Applied Aerospace Science. Mr. Knochenhauer holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts - Lowell and a B.S. in Electromechanical Engineering from the Wentworth Institute of Technology. In addition to his academic career, he worked as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for an RPAS manufacturer (founded by Embry-Riddle graduates). He worked as an engineer developing uncrewed systems (ground, sea and air) earlier in his career.
Mr. Knochenhauer is an advanced aviation technology enthusiast. He started his career in aviation maintenance before transitioning to engineering, which has provided him with a unique perspective on both creating complex mechanisms and practically sustaining those creations throughout their service life. In the mid-2000s, Rob’s engineering focus shifted to remotely piloted/controlled systems, where he developed a core understanding of how to balance the intricacies of software, electrical and mechanical design needs and then leverage those separate protocols to create remarkable new UCS platforms.
Mr. Knochenhauer has worked in the industry since 1997 and has experience with UGV, USV and UUV development and operations with QinetiQ North America (formerly Foster-Miller). In the past ten years, he has been focused primarily on the development, operations and regulatory approvals for remotely piloted/guided aircraft systems, working with Aurora Flight Sciences, GreenSight, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division and currently with Censys Technologies.
As the Director of Regulatory Affairs for Censys, Mr. Knochenhauer is on the edge of developing a pathway to integrate RPAS operations into the NAS. More broadly for the RPAS/UAS/drone community, Mr. Knochenhauer is helping to define the path for unlocking complex RPAS ops by contributing to Working Group WK62669, ASTM DAA Test Methods (under F38) and is a member of the JARUS Industry Stakeholder Body (contributing to the evolution of SORA).
Mr. Knochenhauer has contributed to the conversation about the evolution of the drone industry through presentations at industry conferences and published a chapter in the book “Drone Professional 3.”
Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Knochenhauer enjoys his occasional hobby of turning laps at the track in his team’s 1987 Toyota MR2 in the “24 hours of lemons” racing series.Education
- M.S. - Master of Science in Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering, Wentworth Institute of Technology
- A.A.S. - Associate of Applied Science in Electromechanical Engineering Technician, Wentworth Institute of Technology