“With a lifelong interest in airplanes, I pursued that dream further while attending Purdue. I chose Sikorsky Aircraft to apply the skills I had learned. To quote the angel Clarence in 'It's a Wonderful Life,' 'One man's life touches so many others.' I feel that my Purdue professors have, through me, touched the thousands of people I've known throughout my career.”
Robert Flemming earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue in 1967. He received a master of science in engineering science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1970.
With an impressive 44-year Sikorsky career, Flemming today serves in the role of engineering mentor and advisor as a technical fellow, while also serving in his technical specialty as the chief of Sikorsky's icing research, development and certification activities. As an internationally recognized aircraft icing expert, referred to as 'Dr. Ice' by his Sikorsky coworkers, he has authored or coauthored over 90 technical reports, conference publications and other documents.
Previously, he was in charge of the research laboratories at Sikorsky and earlier had significant roles in the aerodynamic design and wind tunnel and flight testing of the Black Hawk, Comanche and S-92A helicopters, and other research aircraft such as the Sikorsky X-Wing helicopter.
Flemming has previously been honored as an American Helicopter Society Technical Fellow and honored with the Sikorsky Donald L. Ferris Lifetime Achievement Award. He was awarded two patents for aerodynamic designs and has four icing design patents pending.