FAA Announces New Air Transportation Center of Excellence at Embry-Riddle
James Roddey
James Roddey
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James Roddey
Aug 16, 2016, 1:30 PM
“This world-class, public-private partnership will help us focus on the challenges and opportunities of this cutting-edge field of research,” Administrator Huerta said. “We expect this team will help us educate and train aviation professionals well into the future.”
The FAA is expected to invest at least $5 million over the next five years in this partnership, with Embry-Riddle heading a team of top-tier academic research institutions and more than 20 industry partners, including the FAA’s NextGen Florida Test Bed at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach.
“We are honored the FAA chose an Embry-Riddle-led team to conduct research needed to transform training for its 22,000 employee air traffic organization workforce,” said Dr. Karen Holbrook, Interim President and CEO of Embry-Riddle. “Our consortium, titled AERIS (Greek for air) and headed by Dr. Alan Stolzer of the College of Aviation in Daytona Beach, has brought together the premier aviation and research universities in the nation and teamed them with market-leading companies in air traffic training, education and learning management.”
Embry-Riddle will lead research and development on technical training for air traffic controllers, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, pilots and technicians that focuses on human performance, using part-task trainers, modeling, immersive human-in-the-loop simulation, and adaptive learning technologies that are found in other technical workforces. This includes new technologies such as mobile learning and new ways of collecting and managing training data.
“The FAA has recognized the need to upgrade from the decades-old model of instructor-led training in a classroom to a modern, national approach,” said Stolzer, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Chair of the Department of Doctoral Studies at Embry-Riddle. “Partnering with the FAA, our team will bring world-class training, education and research in air traffic control and aviation human factors areas to bear on the transformation of Air Traffic Organization technical training.”
The FAA expects the COE will be operational and engaged in a robust research agenda within the next few months. In addition to the new Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Technical Training and Human Performance, the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Campus is also a core member of the FAA’s Center of Excellence in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and NextGen Programs at the Florida Test Bed.
The FAA’s Center of Excellence program is a long-term, cost-sharing partnership between academia, industry and government. Congress authorized Air Transportation Centers of Excellence under the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1990. This legislation enables the FAA to work with center members and affiliates to conduct research in airspace and airport planning and design, environment and aviation safety.
MEDIA CONTACT: James Roddey, Communications and Media Relations Manager, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Office: (386) 226-6198; james.roddey@erau.edu
About AERIS Center
Led by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Technical Training and Human Performance at AERIS Center unifies the nation’s preeminent authorities in air transportation training and related technologies. AERIS Center serves as the front line of training innovation, working with the FAA to develop solutions that lead to stronger personnel and safer, more efficient air transportation throughout the nation.
About Embry-Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management
During the next decade, 85 percent of the U.S. air traffic controllers who are currently working will be eligible for retirement. This correlates to approximately 14,000 open positions for new controllers to join the FAA. Embry-Riddle is one of just a small number of colleges and universities granted FAA designation as a Collegiate Training Initiative school and the Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management program at the Prescott and Daytona Beach Campuses prepares graduates to fill those seats for an inspiring career in air traffic control.
Embry-Riddle’s air traffic management degree program is taught by dedicated, knowledgeable professors who have held positions as air traffic controllers themselves. The program provides students with the knowledge and foundation designated for entry into the FAA Academy through a mix of realistic lab simulations, classroom instruction and computer-based learning. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a variety of co-ops and internships with airline, aviation and air transportation companies focused on safety, training, operations, dispatch and transportation.