TLG is Celebrating 17 Years of Innovation at the Paris Air Show!

As we plan for the Paris Air Show, we take this moment to celebrate not only the milestones we’ve achieved but also the incredible individuals who make it all possible. Seventeen years of innovation, collaboration, and success have brought us to this exciting chapter.
From engineering advancements to building enduring industry partnerships, every year has been a commitment to excellence. The Paris Air Show has long been a hub for transformative ideas, and TLG is honored to contribute to the legacy, shaping the future of aerospace. We are proud to continue our exhibit as a part of Choose Washington State in Hall 3, Stand AB148.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team, past and present, and to our valued partners who have joined us on this journey.
Tommy Gantz, Ian Draycott, and Robert Lind look forward to connecting with you at the show!
Book a meeting with us here.
Paris Air Show Team: Tommy Gantz, Director of Business Development | Ian Draycott, Engineering Manager and FAA Structures DER | Robert Lind, Director of Engineering and FAA Flight Analyst DER, FAA Flutter DER
Understanding Flutter: The Feedback Loop Behind Aerodynamic Stability in Aircraft

Flutter is the engineering study of potentially unstable interactions between the aerodynamic forces on an air vehicle and the deformation due to those forces. The formal name for these studies acknowledges interaction in ‘aeroelastic stability’ by combining the terms ‘aerodynamic’ and ‘elasticity’.
All flight vehicles experience forces due to traveling through the air. This is a requirement for aircraft because it generates the lift that keeps the airplane in the sky (as well as the drag that must be overcome by engine thrust).
But there’s more going on outside that airliner cabin window. The airplane deforms under those loads like bending and twisting a stick or a straw. Thinner wings generally deform more than thicker ones, and fuselages usually deform the least, but they all deform under load. That change in shape affects the aerodynamic forces. But those forces were causing the deformation in the first place, so now the deformed shape is different. And the aerodynamic forces are different again, and so on. We call this a ‘feedback loop’. Flutter is the study of whether this feedback loop is stable or unstable. A stable response converges to a final static state. An unstable response, once started, will grow on its own until the structure breaks.
Every airliner trip you have taken has been on a flutter-free airplane. Have you looked out the window and seen the wing shaking in turbulence? This is the airplane’s dynamic response to the unsteady gusts of air. When the turbulence stops, the wing stops shaking. That is a stable response to the gust input.
Here are two examples. In the first clip, this NASA experimental airplane is intentionally flown close to a flutter boundary speed. You can see the tail starting to deform. In the second clip, you can see the wings of a glider bending and twisting at high speed.
Lighter-weight structures may flutter more easily, but lightweight is not a requirement. The most famous flutter example is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge across Puget Sound. The bridge shape allowed for unstable coupling with the wind, and the bridge tore itself apart not even a year after it was finished:
Flutter engineers analyze the airplane using mathematical models of the structure and the aerodynamics. Airliners must be free from flutter throughout the ‘flight envelope’ – all speeds and altitudes at which the airplane is designed to operate – including a ‘dive’ margin for accidental overspeeds, and a 15% additional margin on top of that. All possible loads of passengers/cargo/fuel must be considered in addition to a laundry list of ‘non-normal’ conditions, including equipment or structural failures. Ground and flight test campaigns validate the analysis data and provide the final demonstration of safety.
Next time you ride through turbulence, you can watch the wing flex and know that motion has been thoroughly evaluated by flutter engineers.
TLG Aerospace specializes in aircraft flutter analysis and certification. We help ensure aircraft are free from flutter across all configurations and conditions for flight safety and compliance with airworthiness standards.
Our services include ground and flight testing, as well as advanced modeling techniques like Finite Element Models (FEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to validate structural and aerodynamic data. TLG also conducts Ground Vibration Tests (GVT) to assess structural vibration modes and simulate failure scenarios.
Our series on Flutter will be expanded in the coming weeks with discussions on various types of Flutter.
Connect with TLG’s Director of Engineering, FAA Flight Analyst DER, and FAA Flutter DER, Robert Lind.
Structural Analysis at TLG
Aircraft Internal Loads Model and Bird Strike Simulation
Structural analysis is essential to achieving mission success in the aerospace industry, where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. Founded in 2008, TLG Aerospace’s addition of stress and design in 2014 enabled us to support the entire iterative aircraft design cycle, from initial concept development to final certification.
Our solutions empower innovators to design confidently, tackle complex challenges, and achieve breakthroughs in an industry that reaches for the sky and beyond.
We conduct aircraft structural analysis using a combination of classical methods and numerical simulation tools to evaluate and optimize the sizing of structural components.
TLG uses several of the latest industry-leading simulation applications. We can run a comprehensive range of simulations, including linear static, modal, buckling, frequency response, thermal, implicit, and explicit nonlinear.
TLG’s Structural Analysis Services also include:
- Metallic and Composite Analysis and Formal Reports
- Composite Material Property Development
- Static, Fatigue, and Damage Tolerance Analysis
- Continued Airworthiness Documentation
- Support in-service Major Repairs and Alterations
- Ground Test Planning, Support, and Analysis
Benefits for Aero and Space Sector Applications:
- Design Optimization: Develop stress distributions in critical components like fuselages, wings, or spacecraft structures, helping to ensure maximum performance in extreme conditions.
- Cost Savings: Optimize material usage in lightweight designs that still stand up to the immense pressures of flight and space environments.
- Enhanced Safety: Deliver spacecraft, aircraft, and satellites that meet rigorous safety standards, minimizing the risks associated with high-stakes missions.
- Innovation Support: Push the boundaries of aerospace technology—whether it’s reusable rockets, next-gen satellites, or supersonic aircraft—knowing your designs are fortified by advanced analysis.
Our expertise in stress analysis empowers your projects to withstand the demands of atmospheric reentry, microgravity environments, and everything in between. TLG is your trusted partner to build stronger, smarter, and safer aerospace solutions.
Contact our Business Development Director, Tommy Gantz, or Engineering Manager, Ian Draycott, to discuss how TLG can help your project goals.
Let’s collaborate. Contact Tommy Gantz, our Business Development Director, or Ian Draycott, our Engineering Manager, to discuss your project.
Design Engineering at TLG

TLG’s Design Engineering Team leverages our extensive industry experience to deliver robust and certifiable products for all aerospace applications. Our dedicated design team supports your product development at every stage, from conceptual design through final design and into production.
We enable a seamless transition from concept to reality. At TLG, our design team has experience supporting new vehicle concepts, major/minor modifications, and Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for Part 23 and 25 aircraft and various spacecraft.
We have successfully delivered engineering support to our customers on over 50 projects worldwide.
Types of Projects include:
- Aerial Firefighter Tanker Conversions
- Passenger-to-Freighter Conversions
- Radome and Antenna Modifications
- Aerial Dispersant Conversion
- Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Primary and Secondary Structures
- Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Systems Design and Systems Routing
- Float Plane Development
- Wind Tunnel Model Design and Testing Support
- Material Trade Studies
- Production Support & Liaison
- BOM/EAMR Preparation
- Repair Design
- STC Modifications
- Submarine Systems
- Design & Drawing Reviews
- Technical Publication Creation & Revision
- Supplemental Technical Publications/Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
- Weight Reduction / Manufacturing Improvement
- Special Misson Modifications
Our Design Team Makes Your Team Stronger! Our team has:
- An average of 15 years of industry experience
- Level 2-4 Designers with 5-25 years of specialized knowledge
- Extensive aircraft expertise from Tier 1 suppliers, MROs, and OEMs including Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin
- Capabilities spanning Widebody & Narrowbody Commercial, Military, Regional Jet, General Aviation, and Special Missions
- Work permits for countries within the European Union
- Diverse backgrounds in structural design
Proficiencies include:
- Catia V5 and V6/ 3DExperience
- ENOVIA LCA & ENOVIA SmartTeam
- On-Premise 3DX PLM/PDM (Enables Secure Customer Data Management)
- CREO/Windchill
- SolidWorks
- Siemens NX / Teamcenter
- Boeing Drawing System (MyFleet, etc.)
- Jira
- MS Project Suite
- Aircraft Conceptual & Preliminary Design
- Certification Test Article Design
- NDI Methods Development
- Ergonomic Design Practices
- Lightning Protection
- Seal Application Requirements
- Aerodynamic Surface Modeling and Lofting Methodology
- Reverse Engineering (3D Scan to CAD Conversion)
- Composites Design & Manufacturing (including 2D, 3D MBD, Manual Ply, Zone-to-Ply, Grid Design)
- Metallic Design & Manufacturing (Sheetmetal & Machining)
- 3D Functional Annotation and Tolerancing (FT&A)
- Spacecraft, Military, and Commercial Vehicle Primary/Secondary Structure Development
- Reverse Engineering/Digital Twin
- Weight/Cost Reduction Savings Trade Studies
- 2D Drafting to ASME or Customer Specifications
- Design Review and Drawing Redlining by TLG Senior Engineers
Contact us by emailing Tommy Gantz to discuss your design engineering project goals.
Connect with TLG’s Design Engineering Manager Jeff Barnes.
TLG’s Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs)
TLG Aerospace provides aerospace engineering services from concept development through certification. We are distinguished by our FAA certification experience, notably featuring five Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs).
Our DERs, authorized by the FAA, provide specialized technical reviews and approvals across key engineering disciplines including loads, flight analysis, flutter, and structures.
Our in-house certification expertise significantly streamlines the design-build-certification process for clients. With these experts embedded within our engineering team, TLG offers clients efficient and direct access to critical certification approvals, facilitating a smoother and more predictable path to FAA compliance.
Contact TLG today through Tommy Gantz to further discuss how TLG’s experience can best support your project’s certification requirements.
Connect with TLG DERs: Steve Muenzberg | Robert Lind | Ian Draycott | Josh Sementi | Reid McCaul

TLG will be at the AFA Warfare Symposium March 3-5th

In less than one week, Tommy Gantz will attend the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium on March 3-5th in Aurora, Colorado.
We invite you to connect with Tommy to explore how TLG’s engineering EAR & ITAR compliant and space-qualified services can bring exceptional quality and efficiency to your projects.
Leveraging our extensive experience with over 150 clients and 100 platforms, we deliver outstanding results from start through certification. Engage us any step of the way with our one-stop, in-house engineering services including:
- Loads Dynamics, and Flutter
- Structural Stress and Design
- FAA Certification (5 DERS)
- Aerodynamic Design and CFD
- Performance and Handling Qualities
Email Tommy or connect with her above on LinkedIn.
UEI: E233UAKS6E25 I CAGE: 5LNN4 | NAICS: 541330, 541715
TLG presented at AIAA SciTech 2025

Peter Burns presented a paper “Automated Method for Rapid Estimation of Aeroelastic Wing Shapes – TLG StarBeam” at AIAA SciTech on January 7, 2025. which he co-authored with Andrew McComas and Andy Magstadt. The topic was TLG Aerospace’s internally developed code ‘StarBeam’ which brings aeroelastic capability within our workhorse CFD code Star-CCM+.
StarBeam couples a structural solver and a mapping algorithm using a STAR-CCM+ macro capability. The structural solver calculates deformations under load and the mapping algorithm transfers those deformations to the CFD grid in a physically realistic way. The CFD solution provides results for the deformed structure and the solution iterates to convergence.

The tool was developed by and for our TLG industry aerodynamicists and structural dynamics experts and contains useful features often unavailable in other tools and codes. These capabilities help TLG efficiently and accurately drive our analysis and engineering evaluations for customer programs:
- Ideal for early stages of a project
- Elastic wing shape is needed to enable structural design and inform CFD and wind tunnel models
- Calibrated aeroelastic model may not exist yet
- Beam properties or stiffness matrix from higher-order FEM
- Loads Reference Axis (LRA), approximate rib plane locations and orientations, incremental fuel load
- Splining is fully automatic and robust
- Appendages rigidly translate and rotate about their attachments
- Performs fully non-linear large deflections process in a single execution
- Classical methods require manual iteration of the model to address large deformations
It’s terrific we spoke on this particular effort and highlighted some of the great work TLG brings to the engineering world. Thank you to Peter for presenting, to Andrew, Peter, and Andy for writing the paper, and to everyone who helped put this process together and use it—and our other tools—every day.
The paper was well received at the conference and we look forward to continuing discussions.
Please connect with our authors: Andrew McComas, Dr. Peter Burns, and Andy Magstadt.
Robert Lind
Director of Engineering
#TLGAerospace | #EngineeringExcellence | #AIAASciTech | #Aerodynamics | #Aeroelasticity | #CFD
TLG Aerospace will be at the Upcoming Shows

Meet the TLG Team in the weeks ahead at one of three shows: (1) Cargo Facts Symposium (2) NBAA-BACE or (3) The eVTOL Show to discuss how the strength of our multi-disciplinary engineering services can benefit your projects from large cargo conversions to business jet modifications to helping you develop your new aircraft from concept through certification. Engaging TLG’s expertise early can help streamline your success.
TLG engineering services include Loads, Dynamics, & Flutter; Structural Stress & Design; Aerodynamic Design & CFD; Performance & Handling Qualities; and FAA Certification.
Our team is also in the air this fall conducting customer site visits. If we miss you at one of the shows, we’d be happy to coordinate coming to you when in your area. Please email Tommy Gantz today.
Talk with TLG Aerospace at Cargo Facts
Tommy Gantz looks forward to attending the Cargo Facts Symposium on behalf of TLG Aerospace in just under two weeks.
TLG is your experienced cargo conversion engineering consultant. We have FAA DERs in loads and structures supported by a professional engineering team to help streamline your projects to succeed.
Contact Tommy directly to set up a meeting while she is in San Diego.
Will you miss the show? No problem. Schedule a video call with our team to discuss your project’s needs. We work with customers worldwide. Email Tommy or connect with her on LinkedIn.
TLG is attending IFASD, June 17th – 21st

TLG Engineering Manager, Allen Foulstone, and Dynamic Loads Lead Engineer, David Bensadon, look forward to flying the skies to The Hague, The Netherlands, and meeting those attending the 20th IFASD Conference on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics in a Fast-Changing World, June 17th – 21st.
Industry collaboration is paramount for the success of new aircraft configurations, advanced air mobility, and urgent timelines for decarbonization. The Forum brings together scientists, researchers, and engineers from academia, research establishments, and industry to enable a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss new trends and emerging fields and technologies. Thank you, TU Delft | Mechanical Engineering, NLR – Netherlands Aerospace Centre, and CEAS – Council of European Aerospace Societies for supporting this event.
Together, we are better; and as we approach 16 successful years of servicing the aerospace community, TLG remains at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. We are your trusted partner for providing engineering excellence from concept through certification of new aircraft and major modifications of existing aircraft.
Reach out directly to Allen and David if you’d like to connect.