Dennis White:
CLASS OF 1975
Lake Shore Central High SchoolClass of 1975
Angola, NY
Dennis's Story
I moved to South Florida in 1979 after 3 years in the Army. While continuing my education via the G.I. Bill, I had a job offer with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach. I've been with them since March of 1980 and have spent much of the past 40+ years working primarily on the Space Shuttle Program, and now, the next manned heavy launch system for the upcoming SLS. Although I support specific needs for other rocket propulsion systems. I've been very fortunate to be able to travel the world (and U.S. )and get paid to do so. My wife (Barbara) and I just celebrated our 27th Anniversary and have two sons, 24 and 20 yrs. old. We've been in the same house (Stuart, Fl.) for almost 27 years. We visited Angola and upstate N.Y. Summer 2008 but vacation in Bryson City, N.C. every June. We bought some land there a few years back and intend to make it our retirement location (if our 401k's hold out that long). Update...we bought an existing house on Deep Creek (also in Bryson City, NC) with a couple adjoining lots. We intend to rent out the creek side house seasonally (incase anyone is looking for a fabulous place in the Smoky Mountains for a week or two!) and build our retirement house (and 3 car garage apartment) on the adjacent property. We hope to retain one of our properties in Stuart, Florida for a few months each winter. Focused on retiring sometime in 2021.
UPDATED APRIL 2, 202`1 (GREAT FRIDAY)
I finally reached that faithful day. Retired April 1st, 2021.
After all this time, I have finally had a moment to reflect. For those that care, I began with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft March 24th 1980 working primarily on military jet and rocket engines. F100 (F-15 & 16's), J58/ JT11 (SR71), RL-10 and Ronny Reagans Star Wars initiative. I was also involved in numerous Research and Development projects, one of which evolved into winning the engine contact (F119) for the F22/F35 fighters we have today. Also including the lift fans for the STOVL (Short Takeoff Vertical Landing) versions. During which time (1980's) I also began working on the Space Shut...Expand for more
tle Main Engines (SSME) and collecting the data to establish the overhaul limits for all the Turbopump hardware. After 33 1/3 years, following the end of the Shuttle Program (STS135) and limited commitment from that administration for space exploration, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne sold off the Rocket side of the business to Aerojet (Currently Aerojet Rocketdyne). So for my final 8 years, my expertise was spent on the rocket side of the universe. My specific focus has been establishing Non-Destructive Testing techniques and proving them to NASA and Engineering, to include Structures Engineering. Manned space flight is a tightly controlled avenue. In addition to inspecting every weld (both externally and internally), I also performed various NDT's on every component of the turbopump engines. This included a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) of all turbopump hardware (blades, impellers, disk and shaft, diffusers, main pump housings (both LOX and Fuel), internally and externally. For the internals, I utilized an Ultraviolet borescope verifying conditions to exacting requirements I helped establish. I had to become qualified and certified to NASA contract requirements to be able to perform such. And retested every 3 years (for 38 years). I have become somewhat of an industry expert regarding these demanding standards. My thumbprint has been on every Space Shuttle Main Engine throughout the program and is on the (first few) next generation, manned launch vehicles. A modified SSME. Check out the recent Hot Fire at Stennis Space Center on YouTube; NASA's Second Hot Fire Test for the Artemis Moon Rocket, to see MY engines test proven March 18th. A great way to finalize my career. I have danced on the wings of F15/16 Jet Fighters, in the Israeli desert, spent hours inside these rocket launch vehicles (often on the launch pad) and have traveled the country and the world. It has been a great ride with greater people. I am proud of my small contribution to our countries space and defense programs and leave with no regrets.
Drop me a line...........DW
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