Engineering Commons^™

Project Comet Verification Testing And Mbse, David Chiaravalle

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Embry-Riddle’s Project COMET is developing a CubeSat mission to test mmWave communications technology in partnership with the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP). As the design continues to mature, the mission’s growing complexity has introduced challenges in defining and managing technical specifications across multiple subsystems. This Graduate Research Project (GRP) focuses on creating verification test plans at the component, subsystem, and system levels to ensure the spacecraft meets all mission requirements. To better understand and manage interactions between systems, a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach using MBSE software has been applied to provide a digital model representation of the spacecraft. This includes …

Scenarioxp: A Complete Scenario–Based Testing Framework For The Exploration And Exploitation Of Autonomous Vehicle Validation Scenarios, Quentin Goss

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Today is an age of exiting emerging technology where cutting-edge research in autonomous vehicles (AVs) reduces the active human participation in driving and extends awareness beyond human limitations of perception and reaction, improving driving safety and quality of the user experience as a result. The ever-increasing complexity of these autonomous systems poses many challenges towards the validation and verification (V\&V) of these complex systems under time and resource constraints, as the use of artificial intelligence and also the intricacy of the operating environment means that these systems are also black-box and non-deterministic. Scenario-based V\&V testing of such systems, which involves …

A Data-Driven Framework For Modeling Car-Following Behavior Using Conditional Transfer Entropy And Dynamic Mode Decomposition, Poorendra Ramlall

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Accurate modeling of car-following behavior is essential for understanding traffic dynamics and enabling predictive control in intelligent transportation systems. This study presents a novel data-driven framework that combines information-theoretic input selection via conditional transfer entropy (CTE) with dynamic mode decomposition with control (DMDc) for identifying and forecasting car-following dynamics. In the first step, CTE is employed to identify the specific vehicles that exert directional influence on a given subject vehicle, thereby systematically determining the relevant control inputs for modeling its behavior. In the second step, DMDc is applied to estimate and predict the dynamics by reconstructing the closed-form expression of …

Best Practices For Electrical Safety At Home, Joshua Henderson, Derek Centrone

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The household, although it’s a comfortable and relaxing environment, can in fact be riddled with everyday hazards that homeowners and residents overlook or are too complacent in acknowledging or even recognizing their presence. One such common oversight is electrical hazards. This may be due to the high usage of electricity in people’s day-to-day lives, especially since the perceived risk of electrical hazards by the public can be very low. In a household, there are many hazards present each and every day. One such hidden deadly hazard is electricity. While on the surface it doesn’t seem that dangerous, in reality, it …

Artificial Intelligence In Aviation: Benefits, Concerns, And Regulations, Aarohi Srivastava

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into aviation systems, understanding its implications for safety and regulation is critical. This research examines the current state of AI implementation in aviation, exploring both transformative benefits and significant concerns in this high-stakes environment. AI's strengths, including rapid large-scale data processing, predictive capabilities, and pattern recognition, offer substantial operational advantages. However, these benefits must be balanced against key concerns including liability issues, potential loss of pilot competency through over-reliance, the "black box" problem of AI explainability, emergent system behaviors, and training requirements.  This project analyzes current regulatory frameworks from major aviation authorities including …

Enhancing Aviation Safety: A Framework For Predictive Maintenance Using Generative Data Augmentation And Uncertainty Quantification, Muhammad Najjar

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Predictive maintenance is a critical component of aviation safety, yet the development of accurate data-driven models is often hindered by the severe class imbalance inherent in real-world flight data; healthy flights are abundant, while flights preceding a failure are rare. This imbalance biases machine learning models, leading to poor detection of critical maintenance needs. This project addresses this challenge by leveraging the NGAFID aviation maintenance dataset to develop and validate an integrated predictive framework. We propose training a Time-series Generative Adversarial Network (TimeGAN) to synthesize high-fidelity, realistic "pre-maintenance" flight data. This synthetic data is used to create a balanced training …

Ergonomics Of A Pilot Workstation And Aircraft Interactions On A Cessna 172 Nav Iii, Nicole Beaulieu

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

This study analyzes the ergonomic aspects of the Cessna 172 Navigator III, a common flight training aircraft. The research investigated the interactions between pilots and the aircraft, focusing on pilot fatigue, workstation design, anthropometric data, and pilot interactions with controls. The study included surveys, interviews, and anthropometric measurements involving three pilots with varying experience levels, alongside physical measurements of the cockpit and a workstation ergonomic assessment.. Participants reported issues with limited physical space, particularly impactful to the pilot’s posture and ability to manipulate controls. Display visibility and interaction were areas of concern, often requiring pilots to lean in awkward postures. …

An Exploration Of Aviation Safety And Security Culture In Nigeria And The United Arab Emirates (Uae), Nicholas Degarmo, Kathrine Lopez, Hana Marz, Cedric Leon, Michael Chrisman

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

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 and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both regions have taken great steps to align with international aviation standards, offering insight into how different regions shape their regulatory environments, organizational culture, and how cultural factors affect safety and security practices. While Nigeria continues to face challenges such as inconsistent …

Developing Low-Cost Gnss Remote Sensing Hardware To Measure Precipitable Water Vapor For Flash Flood Nowcasting In Southern Appalachia, Austin Gleydura

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Flash flood prediction in Southern Appalachia is particularly challenging due to steep terrain, narrow valleys, highly localized rainfall patterns, and limited measurement coverage. Traditional remote sensing methods, such as Doppler radar and microwave radiometry, suffer from reduced resolution at extended range and signal blockage by mountains, while satellite instruments like MODIS lack sufficient spatio-temporal resolution for sub-kilometer measurements critical to flash flood nowcasting. GNSS-Meteorology offers an established alternative for measuring precipitable water vapor (PWV) and is currently integrated into several numerical weather models. Recent research demonstrates that GNSS-derived PWV products can be used to accurately predict rainfall intensity and timing …

Mitigating Uas Airspace Risks Through Policy Innovation, Christopher Daniel Sidor

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, have become an everyday part of our lives. Once a technology reserved for the defense industry, UAS are now widely available and affordable in the commercial market. These systems have been used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, route mapping, and kinetic deployment of munitions. In modern warfare, drones have been at the forefront, leveraging new tactics, techniques, and procedures to enhance lethality and destruction. The integration of fiber-optic (FO) connected drones, first-person view (FPV) technology, and 3D printed munition-dropping devices in particular demonstrates a dire need for legislative intervention. These …

The Wildlife Intelligence For Aviation Safety (Wild-Ai), Bao Khoa Tran

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Wildlife strikes pose a significant safety risk and economic burden to the aviation industry. Over 291,000 strikes have been reported in the U.S. since 1990, causing an estimated $248 million in annual losses. The Wild-AI (Wildlife Intelligence for Aviation Safety) project leverages cutting-edge technologies, including large language models (LLMs), machine learning (ML), explainable AI (XAI), and Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) imagery, to enhance wildlife hazard management at airports. Wild-AI transforms traditional Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHAs) by integrating advanced data analytics and UAV monitoring. By utilizing historical wildlife-strike data and ML algorithms, we will identify key predictors of damaging strikes, such …

The Role Of Optical And Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellites In Military Intelligence, Khalifa Alnaqbi

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that while optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites are the two most powerful remote sensing tools in military intelligence, neither is sufficient on its own. This research aims to articulate their distinct operational roles and argue that their synergistic integration, together with other intelligence assets such as unmanned aerial vehicles, signals intelligence, and human intelligence, is essential for achieving comprehensive situational awareness in modern warfare. To establish this, the paper will first analyze the role of optical satellites in target identification and Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites in persistent detection and monitoring, detailing …

Osha’S Knocking! A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Inspections At Private Universities In Florida., Acuna Gonzalez Santiago

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Section 8 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) empowers OSHA to conduct inspections and enforce standards prescribed in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations; however, limited literature and lack of descriptive statistics exist regarding oversight and inspection patterns across Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Florida. Assessing these patterns is paramount for aiding higher education stakeholders in evaluating their hazard identification and control techniques. This descriptive cross-sectional study examined OSHA's inspection database — January 1, 2015 to October 20, 2025 — indexed by NAICS code 611310, analyzing all 32 four-year non-profit HEI with at least 1,000 …

Enhancing Wildlife Strike Risk Assessment Through Large Language Model–Driven Data Analysis, Bill Deng Pan

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Wildlife strikes remain a persistent safety and economic concern across global aviation operations, highlighting the need for advanced analytical methods to improve risk assessment and mitigation. Traditional statistical approaches to wildlife-strike data, while effective for structured variables such as altitude, phase of flight, or aircraft type, often overlook valuable insights embedded in the unstructured narrative components of strike reports. This study proposes the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) for the automated extraction, classification, and interpretation of information within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wildlife Strike Database. Using natural language processing (NLP) techniques, LLMs will be utilized to identify key …

Polar Reconnaissance & Imagining Survey (Polaris), Max Brooks, Zion Carpenter, Isabel La Coss

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

In preparation for the permanent human presence on the lunar south pole as part of the ARTEMIS Accords, planned human excursions will conduct science on regions of interest to locate resources for sustained habitation. The objective of the Polar Reconnaissance & Imaging Survey simulation is to take a predetermined region sized image of a planned astronaut excursion site to identify terrain features and threats. This shall be a satellite mission control (MCC) simulation with four Earth-based satellite console operators, and one moon-based EVA encompassing.

Injuries And Accidents On Airport Ramps, Kavya Banarjee

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Media coverage of aircraft incidents/accidents often triggers public scrutiny and heightened anxiety. But behind that are injuries and fatalities caused on the airport ramps; incidents like these are rarely covered by the media but pose just as much of a safety concern as an aircraft incident. This paper aims to inform aviation industry professionals and airline executives about the causes of incidents and accidents on the airport ramp; it also covers the importance of finding and implementing solutions for safety. The methodology for this paper focuses on research and analysis of publicly available information. Relevant data and perspectives were gathered …

Emulating Camera Parameters For A Digital Twin Lunar Terrain Simulation, Samuil Nikolov

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Digital twin simulations play an integral role in the design, validation and implementation of a plethora of systems in any industry - including aerospace. EagleCam 2 presents a great technical challenge, where we need to evaluate how our systems will do data acquisition best - image capturing in particular. In order to assist with the design and validation of our systems, a digital twin that emulates the Lunar environment as we expect it to be during the lifecycle of the mission is a crucial component. Such digital twin system allows us to simulate all the parameters that are considered variable …

Crew Resource Management Analyzed In Guyana Military Accident, Kaylee Lall

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

"In December 2023, a Guyana Defence Force Bell 412EP helicopter crashed in mountainous jungle terrain near the Venezuela border, killing five of the seven personnel on board. Preliminary investigation findings indicate the probable cause of the accident was pilot error, rather than mechanical failure. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the crew deviated from the standard route and elected to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) along the Mazaruni River. The combination of limited visibility, rising mountainous terrain, and potential spatial disorientation likely contributed to this controlled flight into terrain.

This case study applies the SHELL model to analyze the interactions …

Contrasting Coastal Dune Environments In Chile, Aurora Christianson

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Emerging coastalization and urbanization threats to the prehistoric Concón Dunes and Humedal de Mantagua coastal area of Chile is being investigated by researchers via uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Four UAS were utilized: Anzu Raptor T, DJI Mavic 3E, DJI Mavic 3M, and DJI Air 3 to collect various images of the coastal dunes. Multispectral and RGB cameras gather images by photogrammetry to create orthomosaics and monitor vegetation indexes in Pix4Dmapper. Thermal cameras provided images in rainbow, white hot infrared, and black hot infrared schemes to monitor wildlife and vegetation. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated to visualize overall …

Growing Plants On The Moon: How Mizuna Roots And Organic Matter Spark Microbial Metabolism, Stefani Capasso Villanueva, Nupur Kulkarni

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Establishing functional plant–microbe systems in extraterrestrial substrates is critical for sustainable lunar agriculture. We tested whether manure amendment and Mizuna mustard (Brassica rapa var. japonica) rhizosphere activity enhance the metabolic potential of a lunar regolith simulant (LHS-1). Plants were grown in four treatments: Unplanted manure-amended regolith (LRM), planted manure-amended regolith (LRMP), planted unamended regolith (LRP), and soil controls. Plant height and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP; Biolog EcoPlates) were measured to assess growth and metabolic diversity. Mizuna grew best in soil, with modest improvements in LRMP compared to LRP, though regolith treatment differences were not statistically significant. CLPP revealed the highest …

Examining Self-Direction In Learning Programming Among First-Year Students, Abigail Blalock

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

In this poster, we present empirical insights into first-year students’ self-direction in learning programming. In this study, we use a 25-item Personal Responsibility Orientation to Self-Direction in Learning Scale (PRO-SDLS) to assess the self-direction of first-year students in learning programming. The PRO-SDLS is comprised of 4 constructs: self-efficacy, initiative, motivation, and control. Additionally, this study examines the results of the PRO-SDLS across different demographic groups (i.e., first-generation, students with employment, financial aid, etc.). A pre- and post-survey was administered during the Fall 2024 semester in an introductory programming course for first-year engineering students. Data was collected from seven course sections, …

Simulation Results Of Spaceborne Ssa Using A Comprehensive Passive Radar Model, Chinmay Gaikwad, Filipe Senra, Thomas Alan Lovell, Hao Peng, Berker Pekoz, Tianyu Yang

Publications

In this paper, a high-fidelity simulation framework is developed to assess the feasibility of tracking space debris using a large low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation equipped with onboard passive radar sensors. By exploiting illumination from a distributed network of ground-based transmitters, the constellation provides consistent line-of-sight access to debris objects at higher altitudes, enabling angles-only detection and tracking. This approach yields a scalable, automated, and cost-effective architecture for next-generation space surveillance and contributes to more resilient space traffic management. A complete angles-only passive-radar orbit-determination pipeline is introduced and demonstrated. Initial orbital states are generated using a rate-aware constrained admissible-region multiple-hypothesis …

Impact Of In-Cabin Human Machine Interface Designs On Passenger Trust In Urban Air Mobility, Ricole A. Johnson, Erika E. Gallegos

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) presents a promising solution for alleviating urban traffic congestion and enhancing transportation efficiency. However, the widespread acceptance of UAM, particularly sustained ridership of autonomous passenger air vehicles (PAVs), is contingent upon addressing critical human factors for building passenger trust, especially in the absence of a human pilot. This paper evaluates how different in-cabin human-machine interface (HMI) designs affect passenger trust in the aircraft and in-cabin display, situation awareness, and pilot preferences. Forty participants, equally split between early and late technology adopters, completed two simulated flights: a baseline flight with no HMI and a second flight featuring …

The Role Of User Experience In Virtual Reality Flight Training: A Comparison With Pc-Based Simulation, Tianxin Zhang, Christina M. Frederick, Barbara Chaparro

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The current project explores how user experience (UX) in virtual reality (VR) flight simulation influences both cognitive learning outcomes and procedural skill acquisition when compared to traditional desktop-based simulation.. Using a quasi-transfer of training design, 48 student pilots were randomly assigned to VR, Desktop, or Control groups and trained on the Chandelle maneuver. UX was measured with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), while training effectiveness was evaluated through a post-training knowledge test and recorded maneuver performance on a high-fidelity flight training device. Results indicated that the VR group reported significantly higher UX scores in Attractiveness, Stimulation, and Novelty, and showed …

Instructional Fidelity In Virtual Flight: Applying A Structured Learning Model For Vr-Based Pilot Training, Lindsay Gouedy, Bryce Jarrell, Mary Fendley, Brandon Wolf

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

As immersive training technologies reshape the future of aviation education, this study explores the impact of integrating Virtual Reality (VR) into a structured instructional model for B-52 pilot training. With the development and implementation of the I-BUFF (Integrated B-52 Unit Flight Familiarization) model, an innovative framework built upon the 4C/ID (Four Component Instructional Design) and SEEV (Salience, Effort, Expectancy, Value) models, this research evaluates whether structured VR environments improve training transfer and accelerate task proficiency for in-air refueling tasks. A sample of 233 pilot trainees was assessed across three groups: traditional training (non-VR unstructured), VR semi-structured, and VR fully structured …

Utilising Video Recordings To Assess Student Pilot Performance: An Exploratory Study During A Simulated Training Flight, Bradley Moncion, Shi Cao, Allison Lynch, Suzanne K. Kearns, Elizabeth Irving, Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

In ab initio flight training, the quality of the feedback a flight instructor provides their student is essential to their success. While other high-performance and safety-critical industries have incorporated the use of video recordings into training and assessments, the aviation industry generally has not. There are some studies addressing the potential benefits of video recordings in training professional pilots, but there is a lack of research at the ab initio level. In this study, five flight instructors assessed the performance of student pilots conducting a simulated training flight using a 4-point marking scale. The flights instructors were then tasked with …

Navigating The Challenges: Preflight Planning With Notam In Australia’S General Aviation Sector, Joshua Chiang, Guido Carim Junior

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are an integral part of a pilot’s preflight navigational briefing, providing pertinent information in textual format. However, significant shortcomings have been found in the NOTAM system and in its use, with many of the shortcomings revolving around the interface. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the challenges general aviation pilots face when interacting with NOTAMs during preflight navigational planning. A thematic analysis study was conducted and included episodic semi-structured interviews with 15 pilots and document analysis. The interview transcription and excerpts of NOTAMs were analyzed following a thematic analysis technique. The findings of this preliminary …

Evaluation Of Tactile Cueing Embedded In An Aviation Headset On Pilot Altitude Control, Nicholas D. Wilson, Jessica Van Bree, Matthew Cleveland, Sunny Charakuru, Thomas Petros, Richard Ferraro, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study evaluated the effectiveness of tactile cueing integrated into a pilot’s headset on pilot altitude control during simulated instrument conditions. Pilots typically rely on visual and auditory inputs to maintain situational awareness, but in high-workload or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), these channels can become overloaded. One underutilized alternative for alerting is a tactile cueing apparatus. Using an X-Plane simulation of a Piper Archer equipped with a G-1000 avionics suite, 39 FAA-certified pilots flew two precision approaches. The experimental group (n = 20) received haptic cues via ear seal-embedded tactors when deviating from assigned altitude or glideslope. The control group …

In-Situ Investigations Of Calcium-Magnesium-Aluminosilicates (Cmas) Infiltration Effects On Thermal Barrier Coatings Under Extreme Environments Replicating Jet Engines, Zachary Stein

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS) particulates, such as sand or volcanic ash, are ingested by gas turbine jet engines during operation. When operating within high abundance regions, these particulates negatively interact and degrade the high temperature thermal barrier coatings (TBC) protecting underlying superalloy turbine blades vital to engine operation. These CMAS particulates melt within the engine and infiltrate into the ceramic coatings. In electron-beam physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) TBCs, the CMAS within the intercolumnar gaps stiffens the coatings and causes thermomechanical induced high stress concentrations, risking crack formation. While molten, the CMAS thermochemically alters and destabilizes the coating, also risking coating failure. Premature, …

Parameter Informed Reinforcement Learning For Vehicle System Identification, Nathan Schaff

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Accurate system identification is essential for modeling and controlling vehicle dynamics. This dissertation explores the application of Parameter Informed Reinforcement Learning (PIRL) as a novel approach to system identification (SYSID). PIRL integrates prior system knowledge, such as physical parameters, into reinforcement learning (RL) frameworks to improve estimation accuracy. The study begins with an overview of traditional SYSID methods and then introduces PIRL as a modification of standard RL. The research applies PIRL to short-period aircraft dynamics, demonstrating its effectiveness in both offline and online learning frameworks. The dissertation then further explores PIRL’s utility in an indirect model reference adaptive control …