Designer of over 10 Different Rotorcraft and Manufactured Over 1700 Aircraft;
Mr. Dennis L. Fetters
Mr. Dennis L. Fetters
Name: Dennis LeRoy Fetters
Nationality: United States of America
Address: Fetters AeroSpace Company
2885 Sanford Ave SW #16639
Grandville, Michigan 49418 USA
Email: fettersbuiltco@sbcglobal.net
Phone: (001) 937-931-0032
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-fetters-3654911b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fettersbuiltco
Introduction:
I had run both the administrative and design divisions of my own companies for 20 years, but it was always out of necessity and I had never really enjoyed doing the office part of the job. My true love had always been to design, build, and fly my aircraft, which was the only real reason I even started my own business. In the year 2001, I sold the rights to my helicopter manufacturing company, and I decided to become a freelance helicopter designer, going to other companies around the world and helping them to overcome the difficult task of helicopter development. I would also develop new helicopter concepts and market the designs to companies with the willingness to learn to build them, as well as hands-on helping them throughout the complete process. In this way, I had found my niche and never regretted the decision. So I continue to make my experience and abilities available to those who need me, as well as to continue pumping out my new rotorcraft designs for those willing to buy and build them.
I am a hard-working and motivated professional with real-world experience in not over 40 years of designing, building, testing, and flying my rotorcraft designs, but I also have experience during that same time of founding and owning the companies that manufactured and sold those rotorcraft. Over the past 30 years, I was the founder of three different companies from start-up to full-production, while establishing all the separate departments, fabrication procedures, manufacturing lines, and training of the personnel in their respective jobs.
I have designed over 10 different helicopters and gyroplane variants with a 100% success rate where all have flown successfully, and I have manufactured over 1700 rotorcraft and shipped them worldwide. I am one of the only people in the world who has successfully designed and manufactured both helicopters and gyroplanes, which provides me with a unique set of abilities, experiences, and accomplishments over other designers. I am also a Commercially-licensed helicopter and gyroplane pilot, and I do my test-flying which also gives me an edge over most designers, and helps to build confidence in others that fly my aircraft.
As I mentioned earlier, I had always run my own companies out of necessity, spending 70% of my time in managerial duties rather than in the design room where I prefer. For this reason since the year 2001, I decided to no longer own my own mass-manufacturing companies and made myself 100% available to other companies doing what I enjoy and am best at; designing and testing new aircraft as a freelance engineer.
After visiting 22 different countries, I have a very good worldly knowledge through my extensive travels and while living outside of the United States. I have become well experienced in the life and business styles of the Islamic and Asian world. I have extensive experience in business ethics from my over 15 years of working with the Chinese in particular. I also have visited and lived in Islamic countries for many years, and I am very familiar with their customs and business style. I can accept and rapidly adapt to foreign environments and cultures, and when necessary, I am willing to go wherever needed to get the job done, while being able to utilize and adapt local materials if required.
Management Style and Personal Outlooks:
I am a person who believes in the timely desired results of a project, and I expect the people working with me to adopt an “attitude of perfection”, which is essential for any business working on aircraft, especially rotorcraft and UAV-type aircraft. It is always my constant mission to train the people working with me to excel in their duties, to always seek advice, and to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities towards their job, as I still strive to do each day. It is my affirmed belief and policy that the most valuable asset of any business is its experienced employees, so it is important to properly train them, while keeping them happy, challenged, and motivated to work as a goal-oriented multitasked team.
I lead by example. I not only know how to design the parts and components, but I also possess the hands-on skills to use the tools, machinery, and techniques to build them myself. This also gives me another great advantage over normal engineers where I can design the parts for ease of manufacturing while training the people how to build them. I am also used to working in a chain of command, and I will always strive to excel in the eyes of my superiors and meet their expectations.
I tell my team that their job description is; “whatever it takes”, and “just get it done right!” If you want a hardworking person with experience a history of documented success and a full-spectrum of knowhow in the rotorcraft and aviation field, and with the ability to form and lead a team to successfully design and build your aircraft, then I hope you would consider me for that position within your organization.
Personal Statistics, Experience and Capabilities:
Education:
High School: Wentworth Military Academy, 1970 to 1975
College: Wentworth Military Academy College, 1975 to 1977
Military Service: United States Army, 1977 to 1982
High School: Wentworth Military Academy, 1970 to 1975
- Achieved the rank of First Lieutenant before graduation
- Head of the Academy’s Model and Science Club
College: Wentworth Military Academy College, 1975 to 1977
- Achieved the rank of Captain
- Company Commander of Headquarters Company
- Achieved third highest ranking Cadet position in graduating year
- Enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corp. (ROTC)
- Scout Master of the Academy’s Boy Scout Troop of America
Military Service: United States Army, 1977 to 1982
- NG Combat Engineer
- Heavy Equipment Specialist
- Bridge Building and Forward Engineer Support Team (FEST-A)
- Demolitions
- Expert Marksman M16A3 Assault Rifle and M1911 45-caliber Sidearm
- Awarded “Top Trainee” and “Soldier of the Cycle”
Condition of Health:
Family Status:
Languages:
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Technical Experience:
Skills Mastered:
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Employment and Business History:
Tenneco Corporation (USA & Mexico)
- Employed from October 2018 to Present
- Senior Advanced Manufacturing Engineer
- Responsible for installation on a new factory in Mexico
Unmanned Solutions Technology, LLC. (USA)
- Employed from May 2018 to Present
- Director of Engineering / VTOL UAV Designs
Hubei Ewatt Technology Co., LTD (P. R. China)
- Employed from 2013 to February 2016
- Director of VTOL Vehicle Design, Research and Manufacturing
- Chief Engineer and Designer of all VTOL vehicles
- Troubleshooting and redesigning the EWZ-1 UAV helicopter to increase payload 20kg to 50kg, and increased flight duration from 1 hour to 4 hours
- Troubleshooting and improving the EWZ-S8 Multirotor UAV vehicle
- Designed and developed the new EWZ-S8 “Mini” Multirotor UAV vehicle
- Implemented the new Ewatt engine development center designing and manufacturing custom MOGAS engines
- Made possible the establishment of the Ewatt European Development and Research Center
- Implemented Pre-Preg Composite Techniques and manufacturing into Ewatt
- Improved and modernized the manufacturing facility of Ewatt
- Designed and implemented the reorganization of the Ewatt workforce
- Consultant in establishing sales and marketing networks
- Consultant in the design of the new Ewatt Aerospace Aviation Industrial Park
- Wuhan City Huanghe Talent Plan Award for 2014
- Hubei Government Science Innovation Award 2013
- Ewatt Outstanding Contributions for UAV Development Award 2014
Hunan Sunward Technology Co. Ltd. (P. R. China)
- Employed from 2009 to 2013
- Contracted as Advanced Aerospace Project Manager
- Chief Engineer and Designer of the Sunward UAV Helicopter
- Chief Engineer and Designer of the Excalibur 5-passenger Turbine Helicopter
- Advised in developing agricultural spraying system for SVU-200 UAV helicopter
- Implemented Pre-Preg Composite Techniques and manufacturing into Sunward
- Designed and Produced the SVU-200 UAV Helicopter
- Advised redesign of Sunward SAT-400 high-speed UAV airplane
- Advised in establishing sales and marketing networks
- Consultant in the designing of the new Sunward Aviation Industrial Part
Fetters-Built Company (USA)
- Discontinued operation in 2009 to pursue full-time UAV project in China
- Founded in 2001
- Founder, Owner and C.E.O.
- Specialize in Aircraft Design, Testing and Prototyping
- Designed and Produced the Star-Lite UAV Helicopter
- Designed and Prototyped 4 different special-purpose gyroplanes
- Designed 3 different Firewall-Forward Engine Installations
- Manufactured Rotor Blades for 6 different Rotorcraft
- Specialized in the Fabrication of Advanced Pre-Preg Components
- Specialized in the Fabrication of Composite Plugs and Tooling
Revolution Helicopter Corp. Inc. (USA)
- Sold Company in 2001 to a Chinese company
- Founded in 1990
- Founder, Owner and C.E.O.
- Designer of the Mini-500 and Voyager-500 Helicopters
- The company manufactured over 500 aircraft
- Designed and manufactured 4 different aircraft
- Held 83% of world Kit-Helicopter market sales
- Company Test and Demonstration Pilot
Air Command International Corporation (USA)
- Sold Company in 1990, still in operation under new ownership
- Founded in 1983
- Founder, Owner and C.E.O.
- Designer of the Commander Gyroplane Series
- The company manufactured over 1,200 aircraft
- Designed and manufactured 9 different aircraft
- Held 97% of world-market gyroplane sales
- Awarded the 1986 “Man and Machine” by the Popular Rotorcraft Association
Excelsior Tool and Die Company (USA)
- Employed from 1984 to 1985
- Employed as Master Tool & Die Maker
- Designed and fabricated plastic injection molds
- Designed and fabricated aluminum and zinc die-cast molds
Cox Tool and Die Company (USA)
- Employed from 1982 to 1984
- Employed as Journeyman Tool & Die Maker
- Designed and fabricated plastic injection molds
- Designed and fabricated aluminum and zinc die-cast molds
Aviation Experience:
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Piloting Capability:
- Commercial-Rated Pilot in both Helicopters and Gyroplanes
- Flight-test experience in 77 different types of aircraft as "Pilot in Command”
- Accumulated over 5,300 hours as "Pilot in Command"
Certified Helicopter Experience as Pilot in Command:
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Experimental Helicopter Experience as Pilot in Command:
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Certified Gyroplane Experience as Pilot in Command:
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Experimental Gyroplane Experience as Pilot in Command:
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Certified Airplane Experience as Pilot in Command:
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Experimental Airplane Experience as Pilot in Command:
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