The Impact Of Environmental Contributing Factors In Spatial Disorientation And Non-Spatial Disorientation Related General Aviation Accidents,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
The Impact Of Environmental Contributing Factors In Spatial Disorientation And Non-Spatial Disorientation Related General Aviation Accidents, Victoria Cornaro, Molly Mersinger
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The Impact of Environmental Contributing Factors in Spatial Disorientation and Non-Spatial Disorientation Related General Aviation Accidents Spatial disorientation (SD) is an inherent risk of flying and with a high risk of resulting in a fatal accident (Gibbs et al, 2011). SD related accidents occur when a pilot’s perception of the aircraft altitude, position, or relative motion conflict with reality (Benson, 1999). SD accidents are significantly more likely to result in a fatality than non-SD cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of different contributing factors on SD and non-SD general aviation accidents. We used the NTSB …
Remora Ads-B In Receiver,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Remora Ads-B In Receiver, Noah Evans, Sara Patel, Nicholas Gatto, Daniel Ingleton
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The Remora is a compact Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver, designed to enhance situational awareness for pilots operating experimental and homebuilt aircraft. Unlike conventional panel or windscreen-mounted systems, the Remora is installed externally, making it a low-profile solution to the ADS-B In challenge. The device integrates easily with the aircraft’s existing power supply. It transmits data wirelessly to electronic flight bags (EFBs) within the cockpit, using existing iOS and Android software for display and user interaction. The primary function of the Remora is to provide public-access, real-time traffic awareness and weather forecasting, enabling pilots to make informed mission decisions. …
Starlink-Based Navigation System For Fixed-Wing Uav,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Starlink-Based Navigation System For Fixed-Wing Uav, Aidan Panter, Ayse Okatan, Spencer Richter, Carson Frankovic, Faheem Khan, Eldon Crossett, Oleg Sugatov, Dylan Hardt
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Conventional UAV navigation and control systems rely on short-range RF communication, imposing significant limitations on operational range, real-time control capabilities, and autonomous mission execution beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). While existing research addresses regulatory frameworks, communication relay strategies, and positioning optimization for extended-range operations, a comprehensive and cost-effective solution integrating satellite-based Internet connectivity with web-accessible control remains absent from the literature. This project develops a Starlink-based navigation and control system for fixed-wing UAVs that overcomes traditional range constraints through low-earth orbit satellite and cell network connectivity. The system integrates a Starlink terminal with an onboard flight computer running custom …
Human Factors And Passenger Survival In Aircraft Emergency Evacuations,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Human Factors And Passenger Survival In Aircraft Emergency Evacuations, Anjelysa Oleszewski, Adam Dvorak, Anthony Bulko, Christopher Lee, Nicholas Murphy
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
In the event of an emergency where evacuation of the aircraft is necessary, passengers have 90 seconds to locate their nearest exit and egress as safely and quickly as possible. However, news outlets have reported multiple occurrences of passengers evacuating and taking their belongings with them during this decade. The root of this hazard occurs in multiple areas of flight, particularly during safety briefings and during emergency evacuations. The purpose of this project is to focus on improving passenger knowledge of safety features such as exit door locations through digital mediums and strengthen deliverance of life-saving information. The project shares …
Zfq-50 "Radiance",
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Zfq-50 "Radiance", Craig Slovensky, Michael Rath Iii, Kyan Spaete, Long P. Nguyen, Woo Hyun Lee, Roman Czerniejewski
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This project presents the preliminary design of the ZFQ-50 "Radiance", a Collaborative Unmanned Vehicle (CUV) built around the VerdeGo VH-5 blended turbofan intended for military defense applications. This design presents a novel aircraft coupled with a powerplant that blends traditional combustion thrust with electrical power output, an new and evolving capability within the aerospace industry. This aircraft was sized considering multiple constraint parameters, configuration trade studies, CFD analysis, and mission requirements including carrier assisted take-off and landing, an effective operational range, and a loiter period with 40 kW of continuous power output from the powerplant. The selected configuration allows for …
Classification Of Sequential Factors In Aviation Accident Cause Prediction,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Classification Of Sequential Factors In Aviation Accident Cause Prediction, Sophia Nasca, Addyson Wolfe
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Uncovering the root causes of aviation accidents is a critical component of improving aviation safety. Traditional approaches are largely reactive, relying on post-incident analysis rather than proactively identifying risk factors. This project addresses the need for proactive safety by using a multi-source dataset that integrates aviation accident records, weather conditions, and maintenance data extracted from investigative reports. The objective of this work is to move beyond predicting broad probable causes and instead model the sequence of contributing factors that lead to aviation incidents. Using the Swiss Cheese Model, the study will capture layered failures across operational, environmental, and maintenance domains. …
Small Uas Detection: Threat Intelligence & Risk Management Project,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Small Uas Detection: Threat Intelligence & Risk Management Project, Tyler Johnson
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION / FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL SUAS DETECTION: THREAT INTELLIGENCE & RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT addresses the emerging safety and security challenges posed by the rapid growth of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in complex airspace environments. This study analyzed 92 days of sensor-captured Remote Identification (RID) data collected near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to assess operational behaviors, aviation risk, and ground risk associated with drone activity. The primary objective of this research is to identify patterns of unauthorized or hazardous sUAS operations to enhance situational awareness and inform actionable risk-mitigation strategies. The analysis identified 335 flights from …
Case Study - China Airlines Flight 006,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Case Study - China Airlines Flight 006, Jaxon Daniels, Ryan Lutwin, Jacob Patterson, Elizabeth Bosan, Ronyn Orrell
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
On February 19, 1985, China Airlines Flight 006, a regularly scheduled flight from Taipei, Taiwan, to Los Angeles, California, experienced a serious in-flight upset while cruising at high altitude. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep, uncontrolled spiral dive, during which it experienced extreme G-forces and sustained structural damage. After regaining control, the crew diverted the aircraft to San Francisco International Airport, where it landed safely (National Transportation Safety Board, 1986). The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework helps to identify and analyse the organizational elements and conditions that lead to aviation accidents (Small, 2020). Aviation accidents are not …
An Innovative Approach To Real-Time Noise Monitoring And Detection In Airport Ramp Operations,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
An Innovative Approach To Real-Time Noise Monitoring And Detection In Airport Ramp Operations, Grace Hamilton, Nicole E. Egan, Anderson Peralta, Deyaneira Rodriguez, Maria G. Valentinez
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Airport ramp personnel are routinely exposed to hazardous noise levels exceeding occupational safety thresholds, increasing the risk of permanent hearing loss, degraded communication, and operational incidents. Traditional ramp noise management relies primarily on periodic monitoring and personnel protective equipment (PPE), which limits real-time hazard recognition and a proactive risk mitigation strategy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and financial effectiveness of implementing a real-time noise monitoring and detection system within airport ramp operations in alignment with Safety Management System (SMS) principles. A literature review, Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), and financial cost-benefit analysis were conducted to compare …
Mob-Air: Sensing Package Development For Maritime Search And Rescue Uav,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Mob-Air: Sensing Package Development For Maritime Search And Rescue Uav, Rachel Jacobsen, Liam Abraham, Ethan Thomas, Madeline Thomson, Nikolaos Triantafilloy
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Man-overboard (MOB) search and rescue (SAR) operations present a persistent maritime challenge, where rapid and reliable detection of a person in the water is critical to mission success. MOB-Air is developing a modular sensing package for an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to enhance SAR missions through autonomous human detection in maritime environments. This capability directly supports Navy maritime operations by improving overboard recovery, reducing search timelines, and enabling persistent aerial monitoring in contested or resource-constrained environments. The system evaluates thermal and visual imaging sensors using a custom horizontal-rail testing frame with a mobile payload. A ROS 2–based software architecture supports …
Ai-Driven Scheduling Algorithms For Private Aviation,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Ai-Driven Scheduling Algorithms For Private Aviation, Tayan Benson, Jessica Buskey, Gabriel Camacho, Caitlyn A. Gabrinowitz
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Private aviation scheduling is complex and dynamic, requiring frequent aircraft repositioning based on demand and operational constraints, unlike fixed commercial airline schedules. As fleets grow beyond 300 aircraft, traditional deterministic methods become too slow, leading to the use of approaches such as genetic algorithms, but neural network-based methods have not seen in-depth exploration. This project models aircraft scheduling as a network, where airports and flights form a graph. It explores advanced AI methods, including graph neural networks and spatio-temporal graph neural networks (STGNNs), to capture both network structure and time constraints. The goal is to generate efficient daily schedules from …
Fatigue And Circadian Disruption In Long-Haul Ferry Pilots: Human Factors Challenges And Mitigation Strategies,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Fatigue And Circadian Disruption In Long-Haul Ferry Pilots: Human Factors Challenges And Mitigation Strategies, Parneet Makkar
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Fatigue and circadian rhythm disruption present significant human factors challenges in long-haul aviation operations, particularly for ferry pilots (pilots responsible for transporting aircraft long distances between locations) who often travel across multiple time zones before beginning flight duties. Circadian rhythms regulate the human sleep-wake cycle and are closely tied to cognitive performance, alertness, and coordination. Rapid travel across time zones can disrupt these rhythms, producing symptoms commonly associated with jet lag such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, and reduced cognitive functioning. For ferry pilots, long travel periods and irregular schedules may increase the likelihood of fatigue before flight operations even begin. …
Predicting Passenger Demand On National Flights Departing From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atl) In 2024,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Predicting Passenger Demand On National Flights Departing From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atl) In 2024, Brooklyn Gossett, Ana Yu Wen
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The aviation industry relies heavily on accurate demand forecasting to guide critical decisions regarding route planning, capacity management, and pricing strategy. Misjudging passenger demand can result in significant revenue loss and operational inefficiency, making it essential for airlines and analysts to identify the key drivers of flight patronage. This study investigates the factors that most significantly predict the number of passengers on domestic flights departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) during the 2024 calendar year. Using passenger and route data sourced from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), a multiple regression analysis …
An Evaluation Of Machine Learning Models' Efficacy In Determining Uav Spoofing Attacks,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
An Evaluation Of Machine Learning Models' Efficacy In Determining Uav Spoofing Attacks, Nicolas Machado, Jaxon Selzer
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
An Evaluation of Machine Learning Models' Efficacy in Determining UAV Spoofing Attacks - The rapid integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into urban airspace has introduced significant cybersecurity concerns, particularly due to vulnerabilities in Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B), which lacks authentication and encryption. This project addresses the problem of detecting spoofing and data manipulation attacks that can compromise UAV safety and mission reliability. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of machine learning–based anomaly detection, specifically Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks, as protocol-agnostic solutions for identifying anomalous UAV behavior. To achieve this, …
Fault-Aware Flight Path Assessment For Evtols Using An Integrated Air Traffic Management Environment,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Fault-Aware Flight Path Assessment For Evtols Using An Integrated Air Traffic Management Environment, John Clardy, Edison Alberto Martinez Samaniego
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This study introduces a simulation framework to evaluate Fault-Aware Flight Paths for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft within an integrated air traffic management environment. By combining an air traffic management system with intelligent trajectory generation frameworks, the approach assesses the development of safe, adaptive, and fault-aware flight paths that account for traffic interactions, airspace features, and specific operational constraints. Real-world historical airspace traffic data was used to accurately simulate complex and congested operational conditions. The main goal is to evaluate the operational impact of integrating eVTOL operations into the National Airspace System, with a focus on conflict detection, …
A System Safety Approach To Assuring Artificial Intelligence Enabled Functions In Civil Aviation,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
A System Safety Approach To Assuring Artificial Intelligence Enabled Functions In Civil Aviation, Evan Bear, Quinn Galen
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are increasingly proposed for use in safety-critical civil aviation functions including perception decision support and pilot assistance. Existing aviation safety and certification standards such as ARP4754A and DO-178C were developed under assumptions of determinism explicit requirements and complete behavioral specification which do not directly apply to learning-enabled systems. This mismatch has created uncertainty regarding how artificial intelligence enabled avionics can be safely assured and certified. This paper presents a system safety approach for assuring artificial intelligence enabled functions within existing aviation certification frameworks. In this approach safety assurance is based on explicitly identifying the …
Design And Implementation Of A Synchronized Data Acquisition System For An Ihlp Cessna 182 Testbed,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Design And Implementation Of A Synchronized Data Acquisition System For An Ihlp Cessna 182 Testbed, Celso Ferreira De Moura, Mariano Chavez Rangel
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
This work presents the design and implementation of a fully integrated data acquisition system for a full scale Integrated High Lift Propulsion testbed based on a Cessna 182Q, with emphasis on hardware integration, sensor reliability, and time synchronization. A centralized architecture was developed in LabVIEW to acquire, process, and store data from both analog and digital sensors, including air data systems, inertial measurement units, control positions, and propulsion instrumentation. Analog sensors were carefully calibrated to ensure accurate conversion to engineering units, while digital sensors were incorporated into a unified framework to maintain consistency across all measurements. All ADC, GPS, INS, …
Real-Time Fused Sensor System For Early Onboard Detection Of Weather Phenomena,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Real-Time Fused Sensor System For Early Onboard Detection Of Weather Phenomena, Sanjana Singh
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Weather-related hazards continue to be a major cause of operational interruptions and safety issues in the aviation sector. Atmospheric phenomena, including turbulence, microbursts, convective storms, and rapidly changing boundary-layer conditions, can arise quickly and often occur on spatial scales that are not adequately addressed by regional forecasting systems. These phenomena particularly endanger aircraft flying at low altitudes, such as general aviation planes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and those during takeoff and landing Although meteorological forecasting systems and ground-based radar networks offer important regional insights, they may fail to detect localized atmospheric variations encountered along specific flight routes. Consequently, pilots and …
Professionalism And Performance Expectations In The Modern Aviation Industry,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Professionalism And Performance Expectations In The Modern Aviation Industry, Anayah Smith, Spencer Baldock Spencer Baldock
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
The aviation industry operates as a highly regulated, safety-critical environment in which professionalism and consistent performance are essential to maintaining operational safety and reliability. However, emerging shifts in workforce composition, communication styles, and technology integration have created misalignment between traditional professional standards and evolving employee expectations. Established aviation cultures emphasize structured procedures, formal feedback mechanisms, and communication hierarchy, while newer entrants, shaped by digital communication norms and contemporary academic environments, often expect continuous feedback, collaborative leadership, and adaptive performance evaluation. Prior research on crew resource management, human error frameworks, and generational work values highlights how inconsistencies in communication, feedback expectations, …
An Exploration Into Aviation Safety & Security In Nigeria,
2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
An Exploration Into Aviation Safety & Security In Nigeria, Hana Marz, Nicholas Degarmo, Kathrine Lopez, Michael Chrisman
Discovery Day - Daytona Beach
Aviation safety and security standards are fundamental for enabling the reliability and sustainability of aviation operations. Aviation safety and security are influenced by organizational and institutional standards, as well as the application of human factors principles. This paper aims to explore the regional variances of aviation safety and security culture within Nigeria. Nigeria has taken steps to align with international aviation standards, offering insight into how the region shapes its regulatory environment, organizational culture, and how cultural factors affect safety and security practices. However, Nigeria continues to face challenges such as inconsistent regulatory enforcement and limited safety reporting, which impact …
