Draft:Ben Diachun
| Submission declined on 7 October 2025 by Samoht27 (talk). This submission appears to read more like a résumé than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, that provide secondary analysis of the subject's life in context. In contrast, résumés will tend to list individual accomplishments and rely on self-published sources, which might unduly focus on positive events and fail to properly balance their weight. Please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies by using independent, reliable sources.
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| Submission declined on 3 June 2025 by HilssaMansen19 (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies. Declined by HilssaMansen19 4 months ago. | |
| Submission declined on 18 March 2025 by Liance (talk). This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject. This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies. Declined by Liance 6 months ago. | |
Comment: General notability guidelines are not met with the draft still being non-neutral/informal. Kindly check for additions of of sources that are in-depth, independent and reliable with significant coverage before submitting it again. HilssaMansen19Irien1291S • spreading wiki love ~ Message here; no calls 00:01, 3 June 2025 (UTC)
 | This article may have been created or edited in return for undisclosed payments, a violation of Wikipedia's terms of use. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. (March 2025) |
 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by Samoht27 (talk | contribs) 2 days ago. (Update)
Finished drafting? or |
- Living People
Ben Diachun | |
|---|---|
 Diachun in 2019 | |
| Born | October 11, 1975 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Education | Purdue University (BS) Stanford University (MS) |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Contributions to aerospace projects including: Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer SpaceShipOne,SpaceShipTwo T-X program,Northrop Grumman Firebird and Scaled Composites Stratolaunch Development of Pivotal BlackFly, an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Diachun (m. 2003) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards |
|
| Website | diachun |
Ben Diachun (born October 11, 1975) is an American aerospace engineer and executive who has served as president of Scaled Composites and has played key roles in experimental aviation projects, including SpaceShipOne, SpaceShipTwo, Scaled Composites Stratolaunch, and the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft Pivotal BlackFly. He is also a board member of the Experimental Aircraft Association..[1]
Business Career
[edit]
Diachun began his career at Scaled Composites in 2003, starting as an Aerospace Design Engineer, serving as Vice President of Engineering for seven years, before becoming President in 2015. In 2018 the Los Angeles Times ran a “How I Made It” profile on Diachun, highlighting his path to becoming president of Scaled Composites[2]. At Scaled Composites, Diachun was involved in the design and development of 14 experimental aircraft projects including SpaceShipOne and Stratolaunch.[3]
A 2019 Silicon Valley Business Journal article reported his appointment as president at Pivotal, highlighting his background in aviation.
In 2021, he became the Chief Technology Officer[4] at Supernal, a part of Hyundai Motor Group, working on advanced air mobility solutions[5]
Diachun is a member of the Board of Directors at the Experimental Aircraft Association.[6] He also serves on the Industrial Advisory Council at Purdue University[7].
Notable Projects
[edit]Diachun's aerospace projects include his role as Design Engineer on SpaceShipOne (first powered flight in December 2003), which became the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space. He also served as a Design Engineer on the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer (first flight March 2004), now displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. As Vice President of Engineering at Scaled Composites, he contributed to the White Knight Two aircraft, a component in Virgin Galactic's space tourism program.
Additionally, Diachun led engineering efforts on several other experimental aircraft, including the Firebird Prototype (first flight February 2010), and the BiPod Hybrid Flying Car (first flight March 2011). He served as Vice President of Engineering during the development of SpaceShipTwo, which completed its first powered flight in April 2013.
During his tenure as President of Scaled Composites, he guided the first flights of the Swift (August 2016), Sierra (October 2017), and the Stratolaunch (April 2019), which holds the record for the largest wingspan of any aircraft ever flown.
Later, as CEO at Opener, Diachun managed the development and first transition flight (2020) of the BlackFly electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, now displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.[8]
Awards and Recognition
[edit]Diachun has earned several awards and honors, including:
- Robert J. Collier Trophy (2004)[9]: Member of the SpaceShipOne team recognized by the National Aeronautic Association for significant achievements in aviation and aerospace.
- Aviation Week's 40 Under Forty (2014)[10]: Honored as an emerging leader in the aerospace industry.
- Los Angeles Times Profile, “How I Made It” (2018)[11]
- Silicon Valley Business Journal Profile, “Larry Page-backed ‘flying car’ startup hires aviation star as president” (2019)[12]
- Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award, Purdue University (2019)[13]: Recognized for professional accomplishments in aerospace.
- Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Purdue University (2023)[14]: Honored for exceptional achievements and contributions to engineering.
References
[edit]- ^ "EAA, Ben Diachun". www.eaa.org. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "How I Made It: An interest in model airplanes paved the way for Ben Diachun of Scaled Composites". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ^ "Larry Page-backed 'flying car' startup hires aviation star as president". Bizjournals.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Ben Diachun as CTO for UAM". www.hyundai.news. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ "Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Ben Diachun as CTO for UAM". www.supernal.aero. January 9, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ "EAA Board of Directors". www.eaa.org. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Purdue University Industrial Advisory Council". engineering.purdue.edu. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Opener Donates BlackFly eVTOL to EAA Aviation Museum". EAA. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Collier 2004 Recipients: Paul Allen, Burt Rutan, Doug Shane, Mike Melville, Brian Binnie, and the entire Spaceship One Team". National Aeronautic Association.
- ^ "40 Under Forty – Ben Diachun". AviationWeek.com. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "How I Made It: An interest in model airplanes paved the way for Ben Diachun of Scaled Composites". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ^ "Larry Page-backed 'flying car' startup hires aviation star as president". Bizjournals.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Awards". Purdue University, Mechanical Engineering. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Distinguished Engineering Alumni/Alumnae". Purdue University College of Engineering. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.