Housy grad finds his way, with help of a WWII Corsair

FALLS VILLAGE — Mohamed Elserafy, valedictorian of the class of 2010 at Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS), returned to talk about his college career, mechanical engineering and the value of hard work.Not to mention the ailerons of the F4U-4 Corsair.Elserafy’s talk (he gave the same presentation twice) was part of Science Day at HVRHS, Friday, April 11.He began by telling the high school students that after he graduates from the University of Connecticut (UConn) this spring, he will go to work for Pratt and Whitney, the aerospace manufacturer.What is an engineer?His major is in mechanical engineering, which “combines math and science.”“Mechanical engineers solve real world problems, usually through the development and improvement of technology. Any device you have, I guarantee you an engineer was involved somewhere.”Elserafy said he started his UConn career at the Torrington campus, to save money —and to stay closer to home. “I wasn’t one of those people who want to get out of here.”He took the required general education courses and calculus. His Advanced Placement calculus credits from HVRHS did not transfer and he had to take it again.He said that because of his experience at HVRHS, he was well-prepared for it, and praised teacher Scott Fellows in particular.In his sophomore year, when he was still thinking about becoming a math teacher, he got interested in engineering, and wound up designing an air-conditioning system for cars.“That was the end of thinking about being a teacher.”In his junior year, he studied theoretical concepts and physical design. He said he realized “that if it doesn’t make sense theoretically it won’t in real life.”Now, in his senior year, which he described as “the most hands-on,” he is working with other students as a team, on a real-life problem from a Connecticut company.Elserafy took a few minutes to describe the four main branches of engineering: chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical.He said there are subdivisions within the four main disciplines — for instance, design and manufacturing within the overall umbrella of mechanical engineering.He said that mechanical engineering is “the oldest and broadest” branch, and noted that as an undergraduate he still had to study the other three branches.The real worldAs a practical matter, he said that mechanical engineers “are needed everywhere in industry.”His senior project is taking up a lot of his time, he said.“But if you finish it you have a real impact on the world.”He said the course work is “difficult, not impossible.”If someone has the “interest, dedication, focus and passion” for the work, then it can be done.”Besides, he said wryly, “I happen to like doing work on weekends.”He said he was looking forward to the job at Pratt and Whitney — because the entry level salary is generous, and because he will have weekends off.He offered a caveat: “Never go into anything just for the money. It has a way of not working out.”Don’t delay college plansElserafy urged the group not to put off college plans. (His brother, a freshman, was in the audience.)“Don’t wait to think about college — it’s never too early to get the ball rolling.”He said his experience at HVRHS was valuable. “High school does matter. You are very lucky to be at this school. You have talented, gifted, brilliant teachers.”The WWII CorsairElserafy then shifted gears to talk about the restoration of an F4U-4 Corsair, a World War II fighter plane. The Corsair was commissioned by the Navy in 1938. It had a Pratt and Whitney engine, a Chance and Vought frame, and was built in a facility constructed on land owned by Sikorsky.There are now 10 Corsairs in flying condition in the U.S. This will be the 11th.Elserafy saw a parallel between the collaborative efforts of the rival manufacturers and the teamwork he said is necessary for mechanical engineering.The Corsair was an all-Connecticut project and was the fastest fighter of the time. It was built mainly for battle, with wings that folded up so the planes could be transported on aircraft carriers.“It was all custom-built,” said Elserafy, gesturing to copies of the detailed mechanical drawings he brought along. “Today we use standardized parts.”Elserafy is working on the ailerons — the flaps on the wings that guide the plane.He compared the ailerons to driving a car and taking the hands off the wheel.“Which I do not recommend,” he added.“If the car is aligned correctly the car goes straight when your hands are off the wheel.”He said the ailerons have more than 100 custom parts. He creates models of them with a CAD (computer-aided design) program, using the original technical drawings.Elserafy expressed admiration for the original plans — which go into great detail, such as noting that a wooden part requires two coats of varnish.“We have software that generates this today. These are hand drawn.”Sometimes, he said, a detail is missing. The restorers then have to go through the old documents — lots of them — to find the missing information.So as far as possible, the plane will be true to the original specifications. There are some exceptions, however — small fasteners, glues that are no longer made.Asked if there are plans to restore more Corsairs, Elserafy said he didn’t think so.Honors aerospace industry “This is a one-time restoration project. We’re fixing up the plane and we want to fly it. And we want to honor the Connecticut aerospace industry.”He was asked about the parts of the Corsair. “The parts were built meticulously,” he said, waving a sample.Asked how the restorers know what materials to use, he said the “properties are known and documented, usually on the drawing. This screw, that epoxy.”It all mattersElserafy was asked about his course load at HVRHS.“I took a lot of math, Calculus 1 — but everything you do has an impact.“I played soccer for three years. I learned to deal with other people.”Just like the three companies cooperating on the Corsair, he added.“It’s all about teamwork.”Elserafy said working at Lime Rock Park as a teenager was a valuable experience.He started off just washing cars and occasionally moving them.Then one day one of the teams was short a mechanic, and he was asked to fill in on Pit Lane.“It was the most remarkable week of my life. I worked 72 hours a day, and at that point I realized I wanted to do something with machines.”He attributed much of his success to hard work and a good attitude.“I’m not a genius. I just work really hard.”And this — “Nothing is impossible, nothing is hard — because these people are doing it, and they are just people.”