Dellinger to retire; Conquest will take charge

James Dellinger is retiring as director of the Environmental Test Laboratory (ETL) after five years with the Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).  

Dellinger joined NIAR in 2020, and as the director of the ETL, he was responsible for lab operations; quality management; and technical, safety, and financial performance. 

“Working with new students every year, seeing them flourish in the applied learning role, has been very gratifying,” said Dellinger. 

Among Dellinger’s contributions are the development of new test capabilities and safety protocol for lithium-ion batteries; expansion of test capabilities in MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-704; and implementation of the Quality Management System, which brings continuous improvement to the lab’s personnel, processes and training. His expertise will continue to be used in a consulting role for NIAR. 

Over the duration of his career, Dellinger accumulated over 40 years of experience in engineering and management positions at Hawker Beechcraft, National Technical Systems Laboratories, and Ingenium Technologies. He specialized in mechanical systems, system integration and product development through engineering design, analysis, integration, testing, evaluation, and inspection. He was also involved in FAA research, development, qualification, and certification. 

Nick Conquest will move into the position of NIAR ETL director. Conquest, who has most recently led the development of software automation of electromagnetic interference test systems to meet RTCA DO-160 standards, has worked for NIAR since 2010. He has also contributed to the design and implementation of NIAR’s direct effects lightning generator and aided the lab in obtaining its ISO 17025 quality accreditation. 

“The key to our success is continued advancement in testing methods, quality processes, and personnel growth that serve to meet industry partners’ needs for testing services and research opportunities,” said Conquest. “Through Jim’s tenure, he has brought organization and structure that has put our team in a great position for future success. I’m excited for the opportunity to work directly with our industry partners to further advancement in aviation research and testing.” 

Conquest has devoted his 18-year career to the aviation industry, bringing extensive expertise in environmental testing and electromagnetic effects. He obtained his bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas and previously held positions at Hawker Beechcraft and Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics. 

“The continuous improvement cycle never goes away,” said Dellinger. “I’m excited about the continued legacy at NIAR for applied learning and subject matter experts working with students to help develop the next generation of engineers. The strong leadership team at ETL is in place and committed.”

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About the Environmental Test Lab

The NIAR Environmental Lab is located in 33,000 sq-ft of buildings previously occupied by the Boeing Defense Company. The Environmental Lab provides services to both commercial and government related systems, in aviation, transportation and medical applications. The specialized services cover the full spectrum of component tests to DO-160, system level tests for HIRF per AC20-158 and ARP5583 IEL per AC20-136 and ARP 5415, with full air vehicle HIRF capabilities of AC20-158 and ARP5583 and IEL per AC120-136, ARP5415 and ARP 5416. The lab also is capable of conducting many of the US military component and system level tests required by military standards.

Because the lab utilizes experienced engineers, the Lab can provide unique and specialized test services, such as hot and saturated fuel, hydraulics, explosive decompression, ballistics, birdstrike, FAA material and structural burn as well as many unique one off test and verification programs.  The ETL Lab serves the greater WSU and NIAR mission, by making the success of the client their number one goal.

About NIAR

The mission of Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research is to strengthen university research capabilities; provide applied learning opportunities for students; and support the aviation and manufacturing industries – while driving innovation and prosperity for the community, region and state. Providing research, design, testing, certification and training in areas such as Additive manufacturing, advanced machining, aerodynamics, aircraft modification, coatings, composites and advanced materials, ballistics and crash dynamics digital twin, environmental and electromagnetic testing, extended reality, robotics and automation, virtual engineering.