Scaled Composites, LLC

25 years ago today, the Model 309 Adam made its first flight! This aircraft was a proof-of-concept Scaled developed for Adam Aircraft Industries to explore an alternative approach to a twin-engine aircraft with a push-pull for safer handling in the event of an engine out. Today, the Model 309 is on display at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.   #OTD #FirstFlightFridays #twinengine #proofofconcept #adamaircraft

The X-47A made its first flight at China Lake, CA on February 23, 2003! Scaled built the airframe for this kite-shaped UCAV demonstrator before delivering it to Northrop Grumman for systems installation and flight test.   You can learn more about the X-47A at https://lnkd.in/gWywRiHT   #FirstFlightFridays #UAV #experimentalaircraft #x47a

Cheers to all the talented employees at Scaled – the exciting work we do is only possible with the hard work from everyone in our hangars. Whether an employee is part of manufacturing, engineering, flight test, or the many support groups that keep Scaled running smoothly, we wouldn’t be here without them! #employeeappreciationday #employeeappreciation #employees

Have you wanted an up-close look at some of Scaled’s airplanes? Your chance is coming up at Aviation Nation on April 5th and 6th, 2025! Scaled is taking two airplanes to Las Vegas for static display: for the first time a Model 401 will be on public display, along with our high-flyer Proteus. We hope to see you there! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcvv9n3W #airshow #Proteus #airplanes #Model401 #AviationNation #AviationNation2025 Nellis AFB

On February 16, 1990 ARES made its first flight! This aircraft was developed as a proof-of-concept for a Low Cost Battlefield Attack Aircraft and even flew demonstrations of a GAU-12/U gun system. Today, ARES continues to fly as multi-mission testbed. Learn more about ARES at: https://lnkd.in/gYs9hQug #FirstFlightFridays #flighttest #ARES #experimental #35years

Have you wanted an up-close look at some of Scaled’s airplanes? Your chance is coming up at Aviation Nation on April 5th and 6th, 2025! Scaled is taking two airplanes to Las Vegas for static display: for the first time a Model 401 will be on public display, along with our high-flyer Proteus. We hope to see you there! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcvv9n3W #airshow #Proteus #airplanes #Model401 #AviationNation #AviationNation2025 Nellis AFB

We’re still getting to know the newest members of our engineering team as we grow to support the exciting work happening inside Scaled’s hangars. They’ve joined us from all over the USA and are getting hands-on to design, build, and test what’s next in aerospace! Are you the next engineer to join this crew? Apply today! www.scaled.com/careers #nationalengineersweek #engineering #engineersweek #aerospaceengineering #hiring

We can’t talk engineers at Scaled without a nod to our founder, Burt Rutan. While this engineer is now enjoying retirement, Burt’s vision of a company to build and test conceptual and research aircraft led to the founding of Scaled Composites and over 42 years of pursuing breakthroughs and innovation in aerospace! #nationalengineersweek #engineering #engineersweek #engineeringweek #aerospaceengineering #BurtRutan

Design Engineer Bella Rieley first got a taste of Scaled in 2022 as an Engineering Intern, where she was hands-on helping design, build, and test a small UAV project. When she returned as a full-time engineer in 2023, Bella supported the Model 437 Vanguard effort as responsible engineer for designing, building, analyzing, and testing the fuel system – this placed her in the control room during first flight as a subject matter expert! #nationalengineersweek #engineering #engineersweek #engineeringweek #womeninengineering

A fascination with airplanes and figuring out how things work led Engineering Manager Sean Willis to Aerospace Engineering as a career. His interest in weird airplanes built from composites sprouted from a role as composites lead for the University of Illinois Solar Car team. Sean’s winding path to Scaled after graduation included work in auto sales, IT, technical writing, developing electric motors for satellites, and wrenching on bicycles. Since joining Scaled in 2010, Sean has handled variety of engineering challenges – all the way from a sweet little thrust lever gate mod to work on the flight controls for the world’s largest wingspan aircraft. For our engineers, working at Scaled includes wearing multiple hats. The time Sean spent working with Proteus remains a sentimental favorite for that reason, as he had the opportunity to develop payload pods, lead payload integrations, and conduct flight testing, all with high-performing, small, tight-knit crews focused on getting it done! #nationalengineersweek #engineering #engineersweek #engineeringweek