Draft:Ben Diachun

Ben Diachun
Diachun in 2019
Born (1975-10-11) October 11, 1975 (age 50)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
EducationPurdue University (BS)
Stanford University (MS)
Occupations
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Executive
Spouse
Elizabeth Diachun
​
(m. 2003)​
Children2

Ben Diachun (born October 11, 1975) is an American aerospace engineer and executive. He is the former president of Scaled Composites and former CEO of Pivotal (formerly Opener). From 2021 to 2024, he served as Chief Technology Officer of Supernal, an advanced air mobility company under the Hyundai Motor Group.[1]

Diachun is noted for his engineering and leadership roles in the development of experimental aircraft, including SpaceShipOne, SpaceShipTwo, and the Scaled Composites Stratolaunch.[2]

Early life and education

Diachun was born in Lexington, Kentucky. He began flying as a teenager, soloing an airplane at age 16 and obtaining his private pilot license shortly thereafter.[2] He attended Purdue University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1999. He subsequently earned a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 2003.[3]

Career

Scaled Composites

Diachun joined Scaled Composites, an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan, in 2003 as a design engineer. His early work included engineering contributions to SpaceShipOne, which won the Ansari X Prize in 2004.[4] He was part of the team awarded the Collier Trophy in 2004 for their work on the spacecraft.[5]

He advanced to Vice President of Engineering, where he oversaw the development of the Firebird demonstrator and SpaceShipTwo.[2] In 2015, Diachun was appointed President of Scaled Composites. During his tenure as president, the company conducted the first flights of several experimental vehicles, including the Model 401 and the Stratolaunch, the world's largest aircraft by wingspan.[4]

Pivotal

In 2019, Diachun left Scaled Composites to join Opener (later rebranded as Pivotal), a startup backed by Larry Page focused on eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology.[4] He served as President and later Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, the company continued development of the BlackFly, a single-passenger personal aerial vehicle.[6]

Supernal

In 2021, Diachun was appointed Chief Technology Officer of Supernal, an independent company within the Hyundai Motor Group dedicated to developing electric air taxis for urban air mobility.[7] At Supernal, he led the engineering and technical development of the S-A2 eVTOL vehicle concept, which debuted at CES 2024.[8][9] He served in this role until 2024.[1]

Affiliations and recognition

Diachun serves on the Board of Directors of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).[10]

In 2014, he was named to Aviation Week & Space Technology's "40 Under Forty" list.[11] Purdue University recognized him with the Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award in 2019 and as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 2023.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b "GENIUS NY Hosts Second Annual Founders Retreat". GENIUS NY. November 3, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "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.
  3. ^ "Ben Diachun: Industrial Advisory Council". Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Schubarth, Cromwell (April 2, 2019). "Larry Page-backed 'flying car' startup hires aviation star as president". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "Collier 2000-2009 Recipients". National Aeronautic Association. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Opener Donates BlackFly eVTOL to EAA Aviation Museum". Experimental Aircraft Association. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  7. ^ Korosec, Kirsten (January 9, 2024). "Hyundai says its electric air taxi business will take flight in 2028". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Ben Diachun as CTO for UAM". Hyundai Motor Group. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  9. ^ "Supernal Debuts eVTOL Product Concept at CES 2024". Supernal. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "EAA Board of Directors". Experimental Aircraft Association. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  11. ^ "40 Under Forty: Ben Diachun". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  12. ^ "2023 Distinguished Engineering Alumni". Purdue University College of Engineering. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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