An F-18 operated by the U.S. Navy fires up its afterburners in preparation for a heavy catapult launch on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Even Purdue AAE’s globally renowned faculty aren’t immune from geeking out over fighter jets, catapult takeoffs and blazing afterburners. Several Purdue faculty and staff were invited to a jaw-dropping and informative day this summer aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier operated by the U.S. Navy. 

“Standing 5 feet from a taxiing F-18 and about 50 feet from a catapult launch on afterburners is AMAZING. I never expected I would have that opportunity in my life,” says AAE professor Tim Pourpoint. 

Pourpoint joined professors Karen Marais, Tim Pourpoint and Steve Son, plus Zucrow Labs managing director Scott Meyer and other Purdue representatives, on this eye-opening experience. Pourpoint described the crew, 95% of which is less than 25 years old, as having a huge sense of responsibility and pride for their work. “They make a nuclear aircraft carrier run, and they operate equipment to trap fighter jets every 50 seconds,” he says.

Zucrow Labs managing director Scott Meyer walks toward the awaiting E-2C Hawkeye plane that will take the distiguished visitors to the USS Abraham Lincoln.

While touring the ship, Boilermakers gained a glimpse not only of where sailors work, but also where they live and would study if enrolled in an academic program. Navy representatives say sailors of all ranks seek additional education continuously in their careers. During their visit, Pourpoint and others discussed opportunities for sailors to reach those academic goals through Purdue University Online, ranked the #8 best college for veterans in 2022, and Purdue Global, which offers online programs built specifically for working adults.

Purdue professors Tim Pourpoint and Steve Son await their departure from the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field on San Clemente Island, off the coast of California.

The trip also gave Pourpoint insight to the Navy's propulsion needs, which will inform the approach he takes to some of the research he does at Purdue: "The experience gave me an amazing opportunity to put into context, in my mind at least, some of the technical ideas I have had to support propulsion systems for the Navy. Some were not realistic, others were a lot more so — but I can now bring more context to them. That should mean better proposals to the Navy."

Professor Karen Marais and the other distinguished visitors to the USS Abraham Lincoln received an Honorary Crewmember certificate.