“ Compared to today, there were a lot of limitations of what you could do without OEM support. You could not do a lot of structural dynamics modification work, for example. It required OEM data and resources beyond what small or mid-size companies could offer, independently. We were limited to smaller modifications. We had this whole group of people working up to the limits of both our technology and finances.”
Robert’ s firm began collaborating with a company where Steve Muenzberg worked. Their joint projects helped them discover an emerging opportunity in the industry. There was a need to provide engineering in the areas of loads, dynamics and flutter, combining structural dynamics with aerodynamics to design and test aircraft.
“ Steve and his wife, Lynnette, were considering how to bring their skills together to form their own company, and TLG emerged.” Robert is proud of being the numberthree person on board – after Steve and Lynnette – at TLG Aerospace. Arguably, he is their first employee. Either way, he’ s eager to share that he’ s only had three“ jobs” in his life. Next to playing bass, this one is his favorite.
“ When TLG was formed, we gave ourselves a generic name that allowed us to not-say-no to the customer. From then to now, our goal is to be nimble, collaborate and adapt whenever possible. There are so many companies doing all sorts of cool things that we can help with, and that’ s been true since my earliest experiences in this industry.”
THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY CONTINUALLY LEAD TO COLLABORATION AND THEN TO INNOVATION.
“ Technology advancements have enabled us to do effective aerodynamic calculations at a higher level for a lower price than before. Independent third-party companies, like ours, are now computing with enough memory and speed. That was a very expensive proposition thirty years ago. What used to only be available through OEMs is now OEMagnostic because it’ s scalable and affordable.“
That’ s also how TLG has adapted and evolved its service mix.“ We didn’ t specifically plan to get into structural design and stress analysis but would partner with other companies. Gradually customers asked us if we could add that capability, so we did. Now it is a large and important part of our offering.”
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