Personal Information
- Name: Kemal Baylar
- Position/Title: Consultant/Test Engineer
- Department: Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering, Work Package 2 (WP2)
Professional Background
Briefly describe your professional background and area of expertise:
I graduated from the Turkish Naval High School and Naval Academy with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, along with a navy officer diploma. My career began aboard a Meko-class frigate, where I served as a junior tactical operations officer. Shortly after, I transitioned to the air force for pilot training, paving the way for a decade-long tenure as a naval aviator in the Turkish Navy.
As a navy pilot, I operated maritime patrol aircraft, including the CASA CN-235 and ATR-72 600, as well as various single-engine piston aircraft, executing national and NATO missions. My expertise encompasses anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
Beyond flying, I took on leadership roles, managing personnel and overseeing multiple projects. I directed the squadron-level ISR department and later led the base-level Communications, Electronics, and Information Systems department.
After relocating to Germany in 2018, I obtained an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and a Private Pilot License (PPL-A) instructor certification. Currently, I specialize in training and mentoring private pilot candidates.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this related field, e.g., aviation etc?:
At the age of 14, I made the decision to attend naval high school—despite my family’s reservations—driven by the prestige of becoming a naval officer in a field with only a select few across the country and the promise of a high-quality education.
As my journey progressed, I discovered that becoming a Navy pilot within this already exclusive profession demanded exceptional physical and cognitive skills. The challenge of proving myself in such a rigorous field further fueled my ambition. Beyond the satisfaction of belonging to a distinguished group, the dynamic and adventurous nature of a Navy pilot’s career aligned perfectly with my active and driven personality.
"Use cases that outline operational details at the tactical edge of future battlespaces serve as a catalyst for innovative solutions to overcome obstacles in air and joint warfare."
Role in EPIIC
What is your role in the EPIIC project?
As an employee of Akkodis Germany AS&D, I am a team member in WP2 on behalf of Airbus Defense and Space.
Can you describe your main responsibilities and tasks?
In the EPIIC projects as a team member of WP2, my key responsibilities include:
- Contributing to the definition of the national operational context for use case analysis.
- Defining air operations use cases to be analyzed using the model-based systems engineering tool CAMEO.
- Supporting the development of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) requirements.
- Assisting in the creation and refinement of project-related documentation.
How does your work contribute to the overall goals of the EPIIC project?
The EPIIC project is dedicated to addressing the immense technological challenges of future air warfare and collaborative combat by identifying, assessing, and developing highly innovative technologies and disruptive interactive modalities for next-generation fighter cockpits.
A crucial foundation of this effort is the accurate definition of the operational context, enabling the development of use cases that anticipate future challenges. These use cases, which outline operational details at the tactical edge of future battlespaces, serve as a catalyst for innovative solutions to overcome obstacles in air and joint warfare. They are also key to optimizing both system and human performance in the fighter cockpit of the future.
In this context, my expertise as a Navy pilot—having conducted national and multinational operations both aboard naval warships and in maritime patrol aircraft—brings a broad and versatile operational perspective and more anticipation power to WP2. My engineering background further facilitates the effective application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools within the project.
Additionally, my experience working in multinational environments strengthens collaboration within the project team, while my management expertise ensures clarity and precision in the documentation of our work.
Project Insights
What do you find most exciting about working on the EPIIC project?
The most exciting aspect of working on the EPIIC project is being part of innovative ideas. Contributing to shaping the future of air combat operations is both inspiring and intellectually stimulating.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your work on this project?
One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of clear medium- and long-term projections for the project's ambitions. Without it, aligning efforts and anticipating future developments becomes more complex, requiring adaptability and strategic foresight.
Can you share a significant milestone or achievement your team has reached so far?
A significant milestone our team has achieved so far is supporting the development of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) requirements. This step is crucial in ensuring that the fighter cockpits will be intuitive and effective for future pilots, contributing directly to the overall success of the project.
"Contributing to shaping the future of air combat operations is both inspiring and intellectually stimulating."
Personal Experience
What have you learned during your time working on EPIIC?
My experience in the EPIIC project has provided several valuable lessons, particularly regarding the complexities of working in a multinational environment.
- Collaborating within an international team presents not only social challenges but also technical ones. Aligning different national and corporate approaches and ambitions requires significant effort to establish common frameworks and best practices.
- Ensuring compliance with diverse information security and intellectual property regulations at both national and corporate levels adds another layer of complexity, requiring careful coordination and adaptability.
These insights have deepened my understanding of the elaboration involved in multinational defense projects and reinforced the importance of flexibility, communication, and structured collaboration.
How has this project influenced your professional development?
My involvement in the EPIIC project has motivated me to further enhance my expertise by enrolling in a master’s program in Ergonomics and Human Factors. This decision was driven by my desire to be more effective and productive in my role, particularly in strengthening collaboration with human factors experts within the project.
Through this specialized education, I aim to complement my operational foresight with a deeper understanding of human ergonomics and cognitive factors. This knowledge will enable me to contribute more effectively to the development of a human-machine interface (HMI) that is not only technologically advanced but also operationally intuitive and well-suited to the demands of a fighter cockpit.
"My operational foresight, combined with specialized education in ergonomics and human factors, enables me to help develop a cockpit interface that is both technologically advanced and operationally intuitive."
Fun Facts
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy staying active through running, swimming, and strength training. I also have a passion for flying, which allows me to combine both skill and enjoyment in the air. Additionally, I dedicate time to reading technical publications to stay updated on advancements in fields of my interest and further expand my knowledge
Share a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know:
During my university days, I hitchhiked around 20,000 kilometers over four years, which gave me a unique perspective on travel. One day, I’d love to set a goal to cover that exact distance solo—this time, in the sky!