Ben Diachun

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Ben Diachun
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Born (1975-10-11) October 11, 1975 (age 50)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
EducationPurdue University (BS)
Stanford University (MS)
Occupation
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Business Executive
Known forContributions to aerospace projects including: Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer
SpaceShipOne,SpaceShipTwo
T-X program,Northrop Grumman Firebird and Scaled Composites Stratolaunch
Development of Pivotal BlackFly, an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle
Founding Diachun Aero
Spouse(s)
Elizabeth Diachun (m. 2003)
Children2
Awards
  • Robert J. Collier Trophy Team Member (2004)
  • Aviation Week's 40 Under Forty (2014)
  • Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award, Purdue University (2019)
  • Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Recognition, Purdue University (2023)
Websitediachun.aero

Ben Diachun (born October 11, 1975) is an American aerospace engineer and executive noted for his contributions to experimental aircraft and aerospace development projects. According to the Experimental Aircraft Association, he has been involved in several prominent aerospace designs over the past 25 years,:[1] including SpaceShipOne, SpaceShipTwo, Scaled Composites Stratolaunch, and the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft Pivotal BlackFly.

Early Life and Education

Ben Diachun was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 11, 1975. He soloed an airplane at age 16 and earned multiple pilot certifications, including an instrument pilot rating, a sea-plane pilot rating and a commercial pilot certificate [2]. He has logged time in 39 different types of aircraft and is certified as an Advanced Ground Instructor and FAA-certified Remote Pilot for Unmanned Aircraft.

Diachun holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University (1999) and a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University (2003).

Business Career

Diachun began his career at Scaled Composites in 2003, starting as an Aerospace Design Engineer, serving as Vice President of Engineering for seven years, before becoming President in 2015. Burt Rutan, founder of Scaled Composites, noted "Ben played a key role in the creation of 14 revolutionary experimental aircraft"[3]. During his tenure, he was involved in the design and development of numerous aerospace vehicles, including SpaceShipOne and Stratolaunch.

After his 16 year tenure at Scaled Composites, Diachun joined Pivotal in 2019 as President and later CEO, where he oversaw the development of the Pivotal BlackFly, an all-electric personal air vehicle​[4]. In 2021, he became the Chief Technology Officer[5][6] at Supernal, a part of Hyundai Motor Group, working on advanced air mobility solutions​[7][8].

Diachun is a member of the Board of Directors at the Experimental Aircraft Association[9][10], which supports youth STEM initiatives and workforce development in aviation. He also serves on the Industrial Advisory Council at Purdue University[11]. In 2024, he founded Diachun Aero.

Notable Projects

Diachun's contributions include work on these high-profile aerospace projects[12]

Aerospace Projects
Aircraft First flown Role Picture
SpaceShipOne, Scaled Composites Model 316 December, 2003 (first powered flight) Design Engineer, Scaled Composites
GlobalFlyer, Scaled Composites Model 311 (later became Virgin_Atlantic_GlobalFlyer, on display at the National Air and Space Museum March, 2004 Design Engineer, Scaled Composites
White Knight Two, Scaled Composites Model 348 December, 2008 Vice President of Engineering, Scaled Composites
Firebird Prototype[13], Scaled Composites Model 355 (predecessor to Northrop Grumman Firebird) February, 2010 Vice President of Engineering, Scaled Composites --
BiPod Hybrid flying car, Scaled Composites Model 367 March, 2011 Vice President of Engineering, Scaled Composites --
SpaceShipTwo, Scaled Composites Number 339 April, 2013 Vice President of Engineering, Scaled Composites
Swift, Scaled Composites Number 400 August, 2016 President, Scaled Composites --
Sierra, Scaled Composites Number 401 October, 2017 President, Scaled Composites
Stratolaunch, Scaled Composites Number 400 (largest plane by wingspan ever flown) April, 2019 President, Scaled Composites
Opener BlackFly (found in the EAA Aviation Museum[14]), prototype of Pivotal Helix 2020 (1st transition flight) CEO, Opener

Awards and Recognition

Diachun has earned several awards and honors, including:

  • Robert J. Collier Trophy (2004)[15]: Part of the team recognized for contributions to SpaceShipOne, awarded by the National Aeronautic Association for significant achievements in aviation and aerospace​.
  • Aviation Week's 40 Under Forty (2014)[16]: Honored as an emerging leader in the aerospace industry​.
  • Los Angeles Times Profile, “How I Made It” (2018)[17]
  • Silicon Valley Business Journal Profile, “Larry Page-backed ‘flying car’ startup hires aviation star as president” (2019)[18]
  • Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award, Purdue University (2019)[19]: Recognized for professional accomplishments in aerospace​.
  • Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Purdue University (2023)[20]: Honored for exceptional achievements and contributions to engineering​.

References

  1. ↑ "EAA, Ben Diachun". www.eaa.org. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  2. ↑ "How I Made It: An interest in model airplanes paved the way for Ben Diachun of Scaled Composites". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Larry Page-backed 'flying car' startup hires aviation star as president". Bizjournals.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  4. ↑ "eVTOL News In-depth Interview: Opener BlackFly - Marcus Leng & Ben Diachun". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  5. ↑ "Supernal: We know the future because we make it". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  6. ↑ "Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Ben Diachun as CTO for UAM". www.hyundai.news. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  7. ↑ "The Making of the S-A2 : CES 2024 : Supernal". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  8. ↑ "Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Ben Diachun as CTO for UAM". www.supernal.aero. January 9, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  9. ↑ "EAA Board of Directors". www.eaa.org. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  10. ↑ "EAA Board of Directors". EAA. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Purdue University Industrial Advisory Council". engineering.purdue.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  12. ↑ Rutan, Burt (November 26, 2024). "Scaled and Rutan Aircraft Factory Manned Research Aircraft Projects And Other Un-manned Projects" (PDF). Burt Rutan Auto Bio. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Scaled Composites, Firebird - Model 355 - demo video from 2011". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  14. ↑ "Opener Donates BlackFly eVTOL to EAA Aviation Museum". EAA. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Collier 2004 Recipients: Paul Allen, Burt Rutan, Doug Shane, Mike Melville, Brian Binnie, and the entire Spaceship One Team". National Aeronautic Association.
  16. ↑ "40 Under Forty – Ben Diachun". AviationWeek.com. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  17. ↑ "How I Made It: An interest in model airplanes paved the way for Ben Diachun of Scaled Composites". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Larry Page-backed 'flying car' startup hires aviation star as president". Bizjournals.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Awards". Purdue University, Mechanical Engineering. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  20. ↑ "2023 Distinguished Engineering Alumni/Alumnae". Purdue University College of Engineering. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.

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