INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
Researchers Set Sights on Real-World Challenges The College of Aviation is addressing industry challenges through applied research that will transform the future of flight. Research teams collaborate with other departments, disciplines, universities and even countries to ensure the depth and breadth of exploration. By joining forces Safety and Virtual Reality As aircraft advance technologically and new modes of transportation emerge (e.g., VTOL) so too must the approach for training and maintaining those aerospace vehicles. The college is
invested and focused on how to take advantage of technologies such as XR/VR to enrich the learning experience of both our students and the industry while improving efficiency as costs of training continue to climb in both a simulation environment and the classroom. Avionics, control systems, flight deck and propulsion are examples of critical systems that are taught extensively to ensure safety. Incoming student pilots in the Aeronautical Science program are trained with tools such as extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and rapidly adapt to the technology in gaming systems, so we are exploring the use of the technology to increase both the rate/level of learning (increasing efficiency) while reducing training costs. Uncrewed (UAS) Dr. Kevin Adkins, Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science, and colleagues are meteorologically instrumenting UAS to better understand and characterize the lower atmosphere. “The atmospheric boundary layer, the lowest layer of the atmosphere adjacent to the Earth’s surface, is the next domain for sustained aviation operations. This portion of the atmosphere is highly turbulent and contains a variety of microclimates. Better understanding this environment and how uncrewed aircraft behave in it is key to opening-up the potential of advanced air mobility,” said Dr. Adkins.
with industry leaders, researchers carve out the shortest path from discovery to application. Research highlights include the following: Applied Human Factors Our researchers address complex, real-world challenges with operational impact through collaborative, multidisciplinary human-centered interaction design. We are actively investigating ways to accelerate the development of expertise using mixed reality technologies for training, redesigning operational procedures to reduce the risk of Loss of Control In-Flight and developing novel human-machine interfaces for vehicles ranging from advanced air mobility to commercial space operations. We are committed to the idea that technology serves humanity and therefore focus on understanding people and their activities and make that central to the design of complex work systems. The aim of our research is to drive innovative design for systems and system interactions between humans and machines to enhance safety and to promote novel operational concepts.
UAS Taking Off A report by the Aerospace Industries Association of America suggests the large UAS market has a forecasted annual revenue prediction of as much as $30 billion with the creation of more than 60,000 jobs to support industry by 2036.
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