After much study, Craig knows a lot about fatigue

Flying Officer Craig Purry discusses his research with Professor Paul Paris, of Washington University.

FOR many students handing in an undergraduate thesis is a challenge in itself, let alone presenting it to a conference of experts.

But that was the experience of Flying Officer Craig Purry, who presented his thesis research to the International Fatigue Damage of Structural Materials Conference held in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in the US from September 23-27.

The research was entitled “The Effect of Corrosion Preventative Compounds on the Fatigue Crack Growth Properties of 2024-T351 Aluminium Alloy”.

The paper was well received by the conference delegates, with many offering constructive comments. FLGOFF Purry was particularly pleased to meet Professor Paul Paris, of Washington University.

“He discovered probably the most important and well known discovery in fatigue research – the Paris regime and the corresponding Paris equation. His name is synonymous with both fatigue engineers and academics. I spoke with him for an hour at the conference and it was definitely the highlight of the trip,” he said.

The conference was co-sponsored by the US Air Force, Army and Navy with an emphasis on research related to the fatigue problems of ageing aircraft.

FLGOFF Purry was a graduate of the Airman Access to the Academy Scheme (AAAS) through the Australian Defence Force Academy. He graduated last year with an Aeronautical Engineering degree with first class honours after four years study.

The AAAS is one option for serving airmen to gain their commission. Successful applicants first complete Junior Officer Training at OTS before embarking on study at ADFA as Pilot Officers.

FLGOFF Purry began his Air Force career as an Airframe Technologist Apprentice in 1989. After serving for nine years and reaching trade supervisor level on F-111s at No. 6 Squadron he believed it was time for a change.

The AAAS offered him a chance to gain his commission, an engineering degree and a career as an Aerospace Engineer.

He is enjoying his first posting as an engineer at TASPO in East Sale, but aspires to continue his education in the Air Force in one of the overseas masters courses leading to specialisation in structural integrity and further professional development.

DPO-AF funded FLGOFF Purry’s trip to the US under the Continuing Professional Development Program (CPDP) for Air Force Aerospace Engineers. The CPDP provides funding for attendance at seminars, conferences, individual postgraduate courses, courses of a professional development nature within Australia, and membership of other professional organisations. The CPDP also has opportunities, under exceptional circumstances, for sponsorship of activities outside Australia.

Information on the CPDP is available at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/documents/data/ raafpubs/diaf/rp33_39.pdf and on the AAAS at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/documents/data/ raafpubs/diaf/afp1_7.pdf

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