Bio
Lt Col Romain Rivat is an instructor of Aeronautical engineering at the US Air Force Academy. Born in North-East of France, he entered the French Air Force in 2003, and has served as engineering officer, aircraft maintenance manager on Mirage F1 and Rafale, and instructor at the French Air Force Academy.
He participated in multiple abroad operations in Chad, Afghanistan, Jordan, and in several NATO joint exercises as TLP or Joint Warrior.
He is keen on music playing, astronomy, and outdoor activities. Divorced, he has a daughter, Séléna.
Education
Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, ISAE-Supaéro, Toulouse, France (2013)
Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, French Air Force Academy (2006)
Professional Experience
French exchange officer and Instructor, US Air Force Academy, 2021-present
Head of the Rafale support department in the Strategic Air Forces Command, Villacoublay AFB, France, 2018-2021
Airworthiness manager for Rafale, Mont-de-Marsan AFB, France, 2016-2018
Instructor in Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Ecole de l’Air, Salon-de-Provence AFB, France, 2013-2016
Research project on Mach 6 Ludwieg tube at US Air Force Academy, 2013
Graduated student, ISAE-Supaero, Toulouse, France, 2011-2013
Maintenance manager for Mirage F1, Reims AFB, France, 2006-2011
Student, Ecole de l'Air, Salon-de-Provence AFB, France, 2003-2006
Honors & Awards
Croix du combattant (Combatant's cross)
Médaille de la Défense Nationale, échelon Argent (Silver national defense medal)
Médaille d’Outre-Mer, agrafe vermeil (Overseas medal)
Médaille Commémorative française (Commemorative medal)
Non Article 5 NATO medal
Médaille du Titre de Reconnaissance de la nation (Nation recognition medal)
Médaille de la Protection Militaire du Territoire, agrafe JUPITER (Territory defense medal)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Supersonic flows
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Aircraft performances
Astrophysics