Eagle Spotlight: Eagle Earns Trip to Paris for Sustainable Aviation Technology Research

Trevor Simoneau’s research interests in the area of sustainable aviation technology and policy took him all the way to Paris, France, this summer.

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student was named a finalist in the prestigious 2022 USAIRE Student Awards competition and he represented the university at the 2022 Paris Air Forum. The forum is an annual event focused on the aeronautics, defense and space industries, featuring presentations by top European aerospace industry leaders.

“It was extraordinary to go to Europe and meet industry leaders who have such brilliant and innovative perspectives about what the future of aviation will look like,” said Simoneau, who is from DeBary, Florida. “It was very eye-opening for me.”

It was a whirlwind 36-hour trip to the one-day Paris forum, but Simoneau, who had never been to Europe before, said he is grateful to the university for its support, and he tried to make the most of every moment.

“I think my favorite part about the Paris trip was being able to meet and talk with the other students,” Simoneau said. “It was great to meet so many people around the world who are passionate about aviation and making it even better.”

Majoring in Aeronautics with a minor in aviation law, Simoneau has been focused on research in aviation law and policy. His 10-page paper for the competition examines the future of industry-to-government relations in civil and defense aerospace in the age of sustainable aviation technology.

Simoneau credits fellow Eagle alumnus Shlok Misra (’20, ‘22) with encouraging him to submit his research proposal to the USAIRE competition. Misra, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science and master’s degrees in Data Science and Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle, was one of five laureates selected a couple of years ago in the competition. Simoneau is hoping to be the next Eagle to win that accolade later this year.

“Everyone I talked to was very excited to see Embry-Riddle represented,” he said. “It was certainly neat to see how well respected Embry-Riddle is on the international stage. I talked to some people about the research I am working on and some of the programs we have here.”

Simoneau has a history of thinking big to reach his dreams. At age 11, he founded his own aviation apparel company, Chart it All, which makes items using fabric printed with aeronautical charts, to pay for his flight training. At age 17, he had plans to embark on a journey around the world, but the Covid-19 pandemic put that trip on hold.

While at Embry-Riddle, Simoneau’s career journey has evolved. He still wants to fly, but he also plans to attend law school and work in aviation law and policy.

“My research focus is all about the intersection of aviation safety and the law and how it will change with new technology,” he said. “It is fascinating because you see how change happens in the industry and, as a pilot, you also have a unique understanding of how the industry works.”

Simoneau plans to bring some of those ideas to campus this fall, when he presents the first student-led talk about the Constitution and airspace on Sept. 21, as part of the university’s Constitution Day event. He said his talk, titled "Airspace, a Chicken Farm, the Fifth Amendment, and a Serious Dilemma,” examines how aviation at all levels is impacted by the Constitution and the legal framework that exists as new technologies like air taxis and drones arise.