Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, DC                                                          
July 10, 1998
(Phone:  202/358-1979)

Fred Brown
Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
(Phone:  805/258-2663)

RELEASE:  98-120

NASA DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER DIRECTOR RETIRES
     Kenneth J. Szalai, Director of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center 
at Edwards AFB, CA, will retire from NASA on August 1, 1998, after 34 
years of Agency service.

     Kevin L. Petersen, Dryden's deputy director, will act as director 
while NASA proceeds with the search for a successor.

     Szalai has led NASA's primary flight research installation since 
1990.  Under his leadership, Dryden has experienced a renaissance of 
flight research including the F-16XL Supersonic Flow; High Angle-of-
Attack Technology; Multi-Axis Thrust-Vectoring; SR-71 Sonic Boom; X-33 
linear aerospike engine tests; US-German X-31 Supermaneuverability; US-
Russian Tu-144 high speed civil transport technology; US-Russian 
hypersonic SCRAMJET flight tests; solar-powered high altitude aircraft; 
propulsion only control for emergency landings; enhanced crew and 
passenger safety systems, and the X-38 crew return vehicle tests.

     Szalai also led the transfer of ER-2 and DC-8 airborne science 
platform aircraft to Dryden and the resumption of science missions of 
these unique aircraft.

     "Ken Szalai has done a remarkable job in meeting the challenges I 
have placed before him," NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said.  
"Through his superior leadership of Dryden's flight research programs, 
NASA has helped the United States maintain its position as the global 
leader in aeronautics."

     Szalai began his NASA career at Dryden in 1964 following graduation 
from the University of Wisconsin, where he attended both the Milwaukee 
and Madison campuses and earned a bachelor of science degree in 
electrical engineering.  In 1970, Szalai earned a master of science 
degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern 
California.

As a research engineer, Szalai was the principal investigator for the 
first digital fly-by-wire aircraft (F-8 DFBW), earning the NASA 
Exceptional Service Medal for this work.  He has also been awarded the 
NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and both the Distinguished and 
Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards for Senior Executives in Government 
service.

     Szalai will join the IBP Aerospace Group, Inc., as President and 
Chief Operating Officer August 3, 1998, to manage domestic and 
international business.


                                                                          
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