Britcher Named P. Stephen Barna Professor at ODU

Dr. Colin Britcher has been named the P. Stephen Barna Professor of Experimental Aerodynamics in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University.

This endowed professorship honors Peter Stephen Barna, who served Old Dominion University from 1966-1977 as a professor in the School of Engineering and was an essential contributor  to the development of the fluid mechanics laboratories, to wind tunnel research at the university as well as NASA’s Langley Research Center. He was recognized for his far-sighted designs and ideas in many areas of airflow dynamics.

“It is a privilege to be named to the Barna Professorship, particularly since I have taken over stewardship of many of the experimental facilities he was responsible for bringing to ODU in the 1970’s,” said Dr. Britcher. “I am sure he would have been fascinated by the 21st century instrumentation and data systems that have been added.”

Described as an “international expert in wind tunnel systems,” Dr. Britcher is the Director of Graduate Programs at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA). Students participating in NIA’s graduate programs have a unique opportunity to conduct research and access state-of-the-art equipment at NASA’s Langley Research Center as they earn Master of Science or Ph.D. degrees from NIA’s prestigious university partners.

With 35 years of service at Old Dominion, Dr. Britcher currently serves as Associate Chair within the university’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He holds bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Southampton, England, and served for two years as a National Research Council (NRC) research associate at NASA’s  Langley Research Center before moving to ODU.

His research and teaching expertise includes wind tunnels and wind tunnel test techniques, instrumentation, low-speed aerodynamics, flight mechanics and magnetic levitation for wind tunnel, ground transportation and other applications. He has authored or co-authored more than 120 publications in various journals, published proceedings, conferences, and NASA reports. His current research projects include NASA-sponsored development of a Magnetic Suspension and Balance System (MSBS) for supersonic testing of planetary entry capsules and studies of quiet propellers for all-electric aircraft.

He has taught 22 different undergraduate and graduate-level classes, including aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and experimental methods. Dr. Britcher has advised nine Ph.D. and 42 Masters graduates.

Dr. Britcher has served on the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ (AIAA) Ground Test Technical Committee and in several administrative positions at Old Dominion. He currently serves as Deputy Director for Education for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Region I, which covers the Northeast U.S. Dr. Britcher is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Associate Fellow of AIAA, and a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and SAE International.