Carlos Crespo, the living legend of the aeronautics at IPN

Enrique Soto

The General Director of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Arturo Reyes Sandoval, received engineer Carlos Crespo y Mena in his offices, who is a professor at the Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME), Ticomán Unit. Carlos Crespo is a figure that represents the living history of Aeronautical Engineering in Mexico and he received recognition from SAE, an international organization specialized in aerospace that brings together more than 120,000 members from 65 countries around the world.

46 years of educating Aeronautical engineers

With a humble personality, a mustache in the old-fashioned style, a cane, and a wealth of intellectual knowledge that resembles a book filled with wisdom, engineer Carlos Crespo recounted that over the course of 46 years, he has educated various generations of professionals in Aeronautical Engineering. Through their work and talent, Carlos Crespo, the living legend of Aeronautics at the IPN, and Enrique Soto have brought prestige to the name of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in the aerospace industry of our country.

Originally from the Historic Center of Mexico City, Professor Crespo mentioned that aeronautics runs in his blood. On his mother's side, he had two uncles who worked for Mexicana de Aviación, and on his father's side, he had an uncle who was a reserve member of the legendary 201 Squadron, made up of heroic Mexican pilots who participated in World War II.

For a moment, he pauses and looks up to recall an important anecdote from his life: "When I was a child, my family lived in the Postal neighborhood. They gave me 50 cents every Sunday, and I saved them until I had three pesos. I went to Mr. Vega's model aircraft store, where he sold scale model planes in downtown Donceles No. 81. He helped me assemble the 'Ace of the Pacific' plane and assisted me in flying it in the Zócalo. Then I started doing somersaults just for the fun of it!"

Professor Crespo emphasized that it is a source of pride that the Polytechnic Institute was the first institution to offer the Aeronautical Engineering program in Mexico. "The first generation had only 10 students. Polytechnic engineers have sustained the national aerospace industry to this day. It is an impressive honor to participate in an engineering field recognized worldwide."

Mental stability

He explained that aeronautics encompasses various disciplines such as Mechanical, Civil, Electronic, Electromechanical, Chemical, Petroleum Engineering, and even Psychology. Suddenly, he smiles and says, "Without the latter, we could have pilots whose screws come loose in mid-flight."

To the young people who dream of being part of the aeronautical history of our country, Engineer Carlos Crespo shared, "If you have a passion for aviation, you have a place at the IPN. In aeronautics, as in life, you have to do it for pleasure, so that it truly fulfills your spirit."

To the students who participate in international competitions and have raised the Mexican and IPN flags high, he addressed a special message. He mentioned the five aspects that a human being should develop: academic pursuits, art and culture (involvement in theater, painting, music, etc.), sports, social involvement (giving back to society what they have received; not only looking forward but also sideways and backward), and finally, the spiritual aspect, which doesn't necessarily have to do with religion but with meditation.

Reyes Sandoval thanked Professor Crespo, who at one time directed the baseball team and the rondalla of his school, for his visit. He also gave him special recognition for being a beacon that offers light to the new generations.

FAMEX 2023

SAE Aero Design presented the recognition to Engineer Crespo during the Aerospace Fair Mexico (FAMEX) 2023, where he was accompanied by his family and his students from the Aerospace Modeling Workshop where he teaches. SAE has a representation in Mexico and seeks to promote the best aerospace engineers through competitions, fostering the connection between academia, industry, and government.

Also present at the meeting were the Academic Secretary of the IPN, Mauricio Igor Jasso Zaranda, and the Director of ESIME, Ticomán Unit, Armando Oropeza Osornio.

Gaceta Politécnica #1725. 2023, May 31st. IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in spanish here