Sam Conkle
About Sam Conkle
Sam Conkle is a Flight Test Engineer at Supernal, where he develops and integrates flight computers and vision systems for various UAS platforms. He has a background in aerospace engineering and experience in AI-enabled programming projects related to Urban Air Mobility.
Work at Supernal
Sam Conkle has been employed as a Flight Test Engineer at Supernal since 2023. In this role, he serves as a software liaison to the Flight Test team, focusing on the development and integration of flight computers and vision systems for various Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) platforms. His contributions are essential in ensuring the functionality and reliability of these systems during flight tests.
Experience at Empirical Systems Aerospace
Prior to joining Supernal, Sam Conkle worked as an Aerospace Engineer at Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) from 2021 to 2023. During his tenure, he was involved in AI-enabled programming projects, including Detect and Avoid (DAA) applications designed for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). He also implemented vision trackers such as GOTURN and KCF onto UAS platforms and assisted in conducting flight tests.
Education and Expertise
Sam Conkle earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University College of Engineering, completing his studies from 2017 to 2021. He specialized in Dynamics and Controls, gaining a strong foundation in the principles of flight and system dynamics, which he applies in his current and previous roles in the aerospace industry.
Previous Role at Purdue University
Before his professional career, Sam Conkle served as a Resident Assistant at Purdue University from 2018 to 2021. In this capacity, he supported fellow students and contributed to the campus community while pursuing his degree in aerospace engineering. This experience helped him develop leadership and interpersonal skills that are valuable in his engineering roles.