Christopher Cotting, 2024
Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech
Honorary Graduate, USAF Test Pilot School
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University
B.S, Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University
Dr. Christopher “Doc” Cotting is the Director of GNC for EpiSys Science Incorporated (EpiSci). In this role he is responsible for identifying and maturing key technologies that enable autonomy applications for EpiSci.
Over the last 30 years, Dr. Cotting has led several research initiatives for robust control methods, control allocation, aircraft simulation, aircraft handling qualities and human factors. Prior to joining EpiSci, he was the Director of Research at the USAF Test Pilot School. There Dr. Cotting was responsible for leading a variety of advanced programs for the school’s curriculum and greater Department of Defense initiatives to include the X-62A VISTA. He was responsible for procuring projects, funding, and leading all flight test campaigns associated with the X-62 VISTA. He was also responsible for the redesign and rebuild of associated research systems on VISTA to support artificial intelligence testing. Dr. Cotting was the principal supporter behind renaming the aircraft from NF-16D to X-62A to allow for proper designation and resource allocation. His efforts leading the development of the X-62 VISTA resulted in an Aviation Week Laureate Award for Defense, and ultimately culminated in being a finalist for the Collier Trophy as part of the X-62 / DARPA ACE project.
Prior to being Director of Research at USAF Test Pilot School, Dr. Cotting led the Flight Sciences department at the USAF Test Pilot School. During his tenure he rewrote the flying qualities curriculum and has taught over 500 test pilots and flight test engineers. He also spent time at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works prior to working for the United Staters Air Force. Prior programs include the X-33, X-35B, X-43A and X-43C.
Dr. Cotting was selected as the inaugural award winner for the Virginia Tech Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award. He was also selected as the 2018 Outstanding Scientist/Engineer Educator for the United States Air Force, and the 2015 ITEA Cross award winner for significant contribution to education in test and evaluation. While at the USAF Test Pilot School he was awarded 8 Robert L. Wenning Outstanding Academic Instructor awards. He was also a member of two teams that won the SFTE James S. McDonnel for outstanding achievement in flight test (2006 X-43A Hyper-X, 2023 X-62A VISTA). He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), is the Deputy Director for Aerospace Sciences of the AIAA and is a past chair of the Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Technical Committee of the AIAA.
Dr. Cotting has over 40 publications to include three journal publications, two best paper awards, and multiple invited papers.
He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in aerospace engineering from Mississippi State University. He obtained his PhD in aerospace engineering from Virginia Tech and is an Honorary Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School.