Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
PRESCOTT, AZ CAMPUS
COLLEGE OF AVIATION
THE FUTURE OF AVIATION
Since the inception of Embry-Riddle, our foundation has been aviation, and, with it, the safe training of all facets in its ecosystem. Our rigorous programs are the gold standard for the industry we serve.
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The College of Aviation
Air Traffic Management
Piloting a Path to Representation: Our Women in Aviation
A Glimpse Into the Future
Aeronautical Science (Flight)
Applied Meteorology
Golden Eagles Flight Team
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Master of Science in Safety Science
Our top-tier programs set students from across the globe on the path to achieving their dreams. We take this honor very seriously. There’s no better place to land than Embry-Riddle Prescott’s College of Aviation.
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A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Written by Ginger Pinholster / Embry-Riddle News Team
A dramatically modernized flight training center, set to debut by summer 2024, followed closely by a sprawling new airport complex and other improvements, will reflect the status of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus Flight Operations as a shining jewel of aviation education in the American west. As a first step, an existing simulation facility will be reimagined and expanded. That project — a $9.2 million investment approved by Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees — will begin to ensure that the scenic Prescott, Arizona, campus remains a premier flight-training location, fully prepared to serve ever-increasing numbers of aspiring aviators in an efficient and safe manner. “The excellence of our programs and the strong job market have meant that we have seen a dramatic increase in enrollments,” said Dr. Anette Karlsson, chancellor of the Prescott Campus. “These facilities improvements are essential and will be a great benefit to our faculty, students and staff.”
Over the past three years (fiscal years 2020 through 2022), Embry-Riddle has invested approximately $22.4 million in new aircraft and simulators for the Prescott Campus, and over the next three years, the university will invest another $34.4 million, said the university’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President Dr. Randy Howard. The Robertson Flight Simulation Center (also known internally as F7) renovation and future projects at the airport will ensure
Embry-Riddle has the right facilities for state-of-the-art simulators and aircraft, he added.
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Increased Enrollment /// Prescott Flight Department enrollment increased from 486
students to 955 from Fall 2018 to Fall 2023.
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F7
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“Over the next 18 months to two years, Embry-Riddle will be making major transformational investments that ensure our flight operation is best in class,” Northrup said. “We’re the largest and best collegiate flight training program in the mountain west, and these improvements will have a very positive impact on the student experience.”
“Embry-Riddle is making a major investment in flight training facilities at the Prescott Campus to ensure they are reflective of our status as a world- class aviation institution,” Howard said. “I want students, flight instructors and flight personnel to know that Embry-Riddle is pressing forward with these historic improvements.” F7 will encompass 16,000 square feet of space for simulators and student-focused space, as well as room to add a full-motion simulator bay. Modern digital infrastructure will support high- fidelity simulators. An observatory deck will allow students to see flight patterns more easily. Parker Northrup, chair of the Prescott Flight Department , said that Embry-Riddle is working to buy a new fleet of simulators. Meanwhile, plans are also underway for a Strategic Academic Flight Education Complex (SAFE) on the north side of Prescott Airport that would double aircraft capacity. The first phase of the SAFE project is expected to go live by January 2025, Northrup said.
Advanced Flight Training /// The Frasca Cessna 172S G1000 simulator models give our student pilots a real sense of immersion within the training environment.
///TWO-STORY CENTER/// A.K.A. F7 F7 contains 16,000 square feet of space for simulators and student- focused space, as well as room to add a full-motion simulator bay. An observatory deck will allow students to see flight patterns easily.
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Endless Skies /// Embry-Riddle’s open skies means our students spend more time in the air.
Aeronautical Science (Flight)
Embry-Riddle is considered the national leader in collegiate flight training and is the current U.S. National Intercollegiate Flight Association Champion. Grounded in our commitment to safety for the entirety of our nearly 100-year history, our flight programs maintain a safety rate that is more than eight times better than the industry average in pilot training. Embry-Riddle, at its two residential campuses, administers 160,000 flight hours annually with 150 aircraft and nearly 500 flights per day for more than 2,500 Aeronautical Science students — a 50% increase over the next biggest collegiate provider. The Prescott Campus offers over 5,000 miles of airspace and unique high-altitude energy management-focused operations. Uniquely situated in the Gulf Coast and the Mountain West, both campuses focus on real-time weather monitoring and have a wide breadth of expertise in meteorology programs. The academic portion of the curriculum includes meteorology, uncrewed systems, advanced aircraft systems, air traffic management, aerodynamics and flight physiology.
The Professional Pilot program emphasizes the following skill sets:
Leadership ability as demanded by today’s leading aviation companies Decision-making aptitude to quickly assess situations and manage risk — skills that serve graduates well, not just professionally, but in all aspects of life Aviation industry knowledge based on industry-driven inputs such as effective resource management, human factors and safety awareness that can be applied to many endeavors
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///SAFETY RATE/// 8+ Times Better Our flight programs maintain a safety rate that is more than eight times better than the industry average in pilot training.
National Champions /// The team has won more national championships than any other university in the last 25 years.
Give today! Help the Golden Eagles Flight Team soar and become part of our tradition of excellence.
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Golden Eagles Flight Team
Founded in 1979, the Golden Eagles Flight Team is the premier national championship team for Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus. The team competes at both the regional and national level SAFECON competitions hosted by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association each year. Over the course of its 40+ year history, the team has won the past 36 consecutive regional championships and 15 national championships. The team has won more national championships than any other university in the last 25 years. Rich in history, the Golden Eagles Flight Team is consistently one of the top collegiate flight teams in the nation. In 2017, the team was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air and Space Museum alongside legends such as Chuck Yeager, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride and the Wright Brothers. The team’s members compete in various ground and flight events with rigorous accuracy and profound knowledge. The team is comprised of over 30 students across multiple degree programs. Flight team members have a passion for aviation and are dedicated to perfection both inside and outside of the classroom.
For me, being a team member means that every contribution I make, no matter how small it may be, has an impact on the team and contributes to our status as national champions! Winning Nationals was extremely rewarding.”
Bri Francis Fixed Wing Aeronautical Science, ’24
Coaching the Golden Eagles is a very special and humbling job because our flight team consists of the best of the best at Embry-Riddle. As a head coach, I’ve been to three National Intercollegiate Flying Association competitions and returned home the champion all three times. There’s no other coach that can say that!”
Shaun Shephard Head Coach since October 2020
Thanks to our coaching staff: Head Coach, Shaun Shephard Technical Coach, Farrell Harris Team Advisor, Dwyane Fernandes Volunteer Coach, Colin Kennedy Volunteer Coach, Matthew Masangcay Volunteer Coach, Collin Ho-Tseung Volunteer Coach, Jamie Gallagher Volunteer Coach, Matthew Arnovick Volunteer Coach, Carol Martin
Assistant Coach in August 2018, alumnus (2003) Three National Championships: 2021 (virtual), 2022 (Columbus, OH) and 2023 (Oshkosh, WI)
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Master of Science in Safety Science
At the Prescott Campus, students in the MSSS program learn with faculty experts in the Robertson Aircraft Accident Investigation Lab, the most comprehensive facility of its kind in North America, offering re-creations of real aircraft accidents using customizable scenarios. In addition, the Aviation Safety and Security Archives give students the opportunity to explore noteworthy historical documents that have shaped the aviation industry, while the Ergonomics and Motion Measurement Laboratory enables students to learn how physiology and movement influence workplace safety. The lab also contains equipment that enhances occupational safety education.
Today more than ever, addressing workplace risk and safety concerns is critical in nearly every industry. The growing emphasis on safety is creating global career opportunities for professionals with the proper training and practical experience. The Master of Science in Safety Science (MSSS) is designed to provide students with a practical course of study in aviation and occupational safety, producing professionals skilled in safety management and technical expertise in various industries. Graduates will be able to provide leadership, training and guidance in safety program implementation and compliance issues involving the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board and state health and workplace standards.
///MEDIAN SALARY/// Opportunities The median salary for full-time safety, health and environmental professionals is $98,000 according to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals 1 .
1 BCSP, NSC Release 2020 SH&E Salary Survey Results and Calculator — Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
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Air Traffic Management
The Air Traffic Management program provides students with the knowledge and foundation for entry into the FAA Academy, where students are integrated with others for additional air traffic control training. Because of the high quality of their education and experience, Embry-Riddle graduates frequently lead their classes at the FAA Academy. Embry-Riddle’s program delivers fundamental air traffic controller knowledge and competency through a mix of realistic lab simulations, classroom instruction and computer-based learning. Since Embry-Riddle has a formal partnership agreement with the FAA, curriculum and standards meet FAA demands and always exceed its expectations.
Controllers Outlook /// According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $132,250 in May 2022 1 .
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Air Traffic Controllers
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PILOTING A PATH TO REPRESENTATION:
Our Women in Aviation
Dr. Jennah Perry is the interim dean for the College of Aviation, an associate department chair for Applied Aviation Sciences and an associate professor of Air Traffic Management. Perry’s love of flying began at an early age: “After growing up flying to and from work with my dad (from Fallbrook, CA to
Carlsbad, CA) in his C152, I knew early on I wanted to be a part of the aviation industry. I started out as a pilot but while learning to fly I fell in love with communicating with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and shifted into working toward that profession during my junior year at Embry-Riddle. I thrived in the fast-paced multi-tasking work environment associated with ATC and for many years it was my passion. After working as an ATC specialist for eight years, I had the opportunity to teach at Embry-Riddle and fell even more in love with teaching and the field of aviation. To this day, I am extremely passionate about aviation and education and look forward to many years of educating the next generation of aviation professionals.”
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Dawn Groh is the department chair and an assistant professor of Aeronautical Science.
Groh flew Blackhawk helicopters for the U.S. Army. She holds her Certified Flight Instructor Rotorcraft Helicopter rating and is a member of the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team.
“Despite having a grandfather who was a pilot in World War II and the Korean War, I never considered aviation as a career path for me until a high school friend decided to apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy. As he went through the process to earn an appointment, I became fascinated by flying and the idea of being a leader and knew that was my path. Taking my first flight in a helicopter in Army ROTC sealed the deal and I have loved helicopters and all facets of aviation ever since. Being part of the Embry-Riddle family and surrounded by others who are equally passionate about aviation is a daily thrill, and teaching and mentoring others along their path is the greatest privilege one could hope for in a career.”
Stacey McIntire is the associate department chair and an assistant professor of Aeronautical Science.
McIntire’s background is strongly embedded in education and her passion is with student success. Her work and research have included creating an Aviation English curriculum to support our non-native English-speaking flight students, along with being a co-creator of an augmented reality application to support flight students in their initial flight training. Additionally, her most recent work has been on bringing awareness of mental health concerns in collegiate aviation. McIntire’s research resulted in the integration of a facility dog on campus to provide support to all students, faculty and staff. “Students are why we are here, and I am committed to finding innovative and unique ways to meet their needs so that they can be successful in what they are studying. I care about each person in our university, and I make it my focus to be as supportive and encouraging as I can possibly be.”
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Applied Meteorology
Accurate weather forecasting saves lives. Hurricane hunting, predicting severe storms, providing expert guidance to emergency response teams and mitigating communications problems caused by space weather are a few of the ways in which meteorologists play an important role in today’s society. Our students combine theory with valuable hands-on experience to ensure they’re career-ready. They use interactive graphics software to visualize and apply concepts taught in class to today’s weather forecast or tomorrow’s climate. They benefit from direct access to experienced faculty in a small class setting, along with state-of-the-art weather forecasting and observing equipment.
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UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
As the uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) industry continues to evolve, the benefits of gaining an education specific to UAS have become apparent. Embry-Riddle is a leader in UAS curriculum, launching the first accredited program in the country. The program has continued to mature and grow by providing the state-of-the-art classroom and practical instruction necessary for graduates to become UAS industry leaders.
/// INSIGHTS/// Rapid Growth Fortune Business Insights predicts the global commercial drone market is projected to grow from $10.98 billion in 2023 to $54.81 billion by 2030.
DISCOVER MORE. prescott.erau.edu/coa
COLLEGE OF AVIATION | 3700 WILLOW CREEK ROAD | PRESCOTT, AZ 86301
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