North Texas Section

Evolving HQR1 Controls: So
Easy a Caveman Can Fly It!
Kevin “Link” Christensen
Flight Controls Engineer, Bell Textron Inc.
Presented by the VFS Southwest Chapter with AIAA, SETP, SFTE
Join us for a Network Social and Presentation
Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Texas Star
1400 Texas Star Parkway
6pm Doors Open
6:45pm Presentation
7:15-8pm Hor D’oeuvres & Social
Since the Cooper-Harper Handling Qualities Rating (HQR) scale was first introduced in 1969, aircraft control systems have evolved to significantly reduce pilot workload and improve handling qualities. In particular, the introduction of automation with advanced fly-by-wire flight controls has made the assignment of the elusive HQR1 a reality. With an advanced flight control automation system, the pilot can focus less on hands-on aircraft control and more on mission execution. Such a system could also minimize the training needed to fly the aircraft. This presentation will cover recent simulation and flight test research aimed at improving handling qualities though the incorporation of advanced control automation. Kevin Christensen (F) is a Senior Staff Engineer and Associate Technical Fellow at Bell Textron with over 40 years’ experience in aviation. Kevin also graduated from the US Air Force Academy and served as a pilot in USAF having flown the F-22 as a test pilot and is an SETP Fellow.
Members: $32
Member Guest: $37
Non-Members: $42
Students: FREE!
This event serves as a VFS chapter fundraiser event with a silent auction
• Ft Worth aviation museum tickets
• Custom, Cliff Harrell made, wood Bell 525 and MV-75 puzzles
• Pottery from Ahaus Studios
• A private, in-home whiskey tasting for you and three friends
• And more!!!
For additional information on the event or VFS, please feel free to contact one of the following people:
Elizabeth Ward (817) 280-3806
Angela Buccio (817) 280-5227
Please RSVP by completing the online form HERE or through PayPal at southwest.vtol.org by 5pm 20 August
If you have any issues with the form, please email Elizabeth Ward at eward01@bellflight.com

Congratulations to our North Texas Colleges!
International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)
15-21 June 2026 
Spaceport Midland, TX

15^th Place - UT Dallas (10K’ Student Design) pictured above
31^st Place - UT Arlington (10K’ COTS) pictured below
52^nd Place - Tarleton State (10K’ COTS)
126^th Place - Baylor (30K’ Multi-Stage)
Out of 141 International Teams!

Special Awards 
UT Arlington
- Jim Furfaro Award for Technical Excellence
- Charles Hoult Award for Modeling & Simulation
- Nancy Squires Team Spirit Award - Runner Up
UT Dallas
- 10K’ Solid SRAD - 2nd Place

Moon Day STEM Event
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas Love Field
6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209  (214) 350-3600
Moon Day celebrates the Apollo 11 landing anniversary and showcases the past, present, and future of space exploration. AIAA NTX along with SETP Southwest Section will again participate with our Flight Test Range & Sim.

1. Design, Build, Decorate a paper airplane.
2. Fly it on the Flight Test Range to measure time and distance.
3. Compute the resultant velocity, convert it from fps to mph.
4. Fly the Sim.
Volunteer! Morning or afternoon shifts available (please specify). Pizza volunteer lunch provided. Come early to fly our sim. Stay late to meet the astronaut for a picture & autograph. Or do both!

Keynote Speaker
Carl E. Walz (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) served as a NASA Astronaut (1990-2008). He logged 231 days in space on four space flights including the 196-day Expedition-4 crew aboard the International Space Station. Walz conducted three spacewalks totaling more than 18 hours evaluating tools for the Hubble Space Telescope refurbishment and outfitting the International Space Station. Walz graduated in 1983 as a Flight Test Engineer at the USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California.