A Student’s Flight Path to UC San Diego

Story by:

• Jen Jordan- [email protected]

Published Date

Sigafoos working on a V-22 Osprey. Photo courtesy of John Sigafoos

In the skies over San Diego, the V-22 Osprey is a familiar sight. With its distinctive ability to fly as both a helicopter and an airplane, the aircraft is truly mindblowing, especially to someone who grew up around military aviation and, early on, developed an interest in aerospace engineering.

It's also what brought me to UC San Diego.

I've been interested in aerospace engineering since I was a little kid. Growing up in Florida, I saw NASA space shuttles launch from my backyard. My dad, a United States Navy crew chief, exposed me to aviation at a young age.

After high school, I enlisted as a V-22 Osprey crew chief in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. I knew I wanted to have a career in both the military and aerospace engineering and I had a lot of respect for naval aviation, given that a lot of astronauts were naval aviators. With my childhood, it felt like it was just part of my path.

Sigafoos with his wife and children on the flightline aboard MCAS Miramar. Photo by Jen Jordan

From the Skies to the Classroom

As a crew chief, I have to understand the components of the aircraft and how they integrate. In my classes, I notice how my experience in the V-22 Osprey connects. In Fluid Dynamics, for example, we learned about how airflow works and I realized that's why the V-22 Osprey has wing fences-structures on top of the wings that help direct airflow-to try to maximize the lift. It really deepened my appreciation for the aircraft.

Joining Students for the Exploration and Development of Space(SEDS), one of the rocket teams on campus, really brought my appreciation for aerospace engineering to another level. SEDS introduced me to UC San Diego's aerospace engineering community. The Student Veterans Resource Center(SVRC) has also been a big support for me. It's my go-to spot for a cup of coffee, and it's also a great place to connect and network with other students. Being involved in SEDS and at the SVRC makes me feel like UC San Diego is where I belong.

Balancing the reserves, school and parenting-my wife and I have two young children-definitely requires time management. I report for reserve duty one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. I also commute to campus from Oceanside, taking the train and then biking from the train station. But I just have to plan ahead. My professors are always understanding and supportive.

I've loved my experience going to UC San Diego and being a Marine Corps crew chief. It's given me both sides of the coin. No matter your experience or background, UC San Diego offers so many resources for students, and I'm so grateful to be here.

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