Latest news with #Embry-RiddleAeronauticalUniversity
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
FROM SUN 'N FUN TO CLEAN SKIES ACROSS 14 DESTINATIONS: H55 WRAPS UP FLORIDA TOUR WITH 36 ELECTRIC DEMONSTRATION FLIGHTS AND ENGAGEMENTS AT 18 FLIGHT SCHOOLS
SION, Switzerland, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- H55, the pioneering electric aviation company and the technological spin-off of the Solar Impulse project, has successfully completed the first leg of its 8-state U.S. tour—making a powerful debut in Florida and demonstrating the promise of clean, quiet, and efficient flight. As part of its visionary Across USA Tour, H55 engaged flight schools, instructors, and industry leaders—showcasing the transformative potential of its certified electric propulsion system and accelerating market interest in the Bristell B23 Energic. With its all-electric Bristell B23 Energic aircraft, H55 completed 36 demonstration flights and hosted 12 open house events across 14 Florida airports. The company showcased its zero-emission electric propulsion technology to a wide range of audiences —including flight schools, aeronautical universities, aerospace professionals, professional pilots, aviation communities, airport authorities, and industry enthusiasts. Industry Momentum From a strong showing at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo to final stops in Central Florida, the H55 Across USA Tour engaged: 14 Airport-to-airport flights 36 Demonstration flights 12 Static events 30 Certified Flight Instructors (CFI/CFII) Aeronautical and aviation Professors Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Liberty University, and Florida Institute of Technology 2 Aerospace experts 18 Flight schools 10 Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) The Energic aircraft's aerodynamic design offers smooth, responsive handling and a remarkably quiet cockpit. Powered by H55's intelligent battery systems, the aircraft provides compelling proof that electric propulsion is poised to transform general aviation, regional transport aircraft operations, and pilot training. "This Florida tour marks a turning point—flight schools, instructors, and the broader aviation community are embracing the shift to electric. The future of flight is quiet, efficient, and electric. Our time in Florida demonstrated the real-world readiness of H55's certified electric propulsion system and intelligent energy management, along with strong interest from flight educators in adopting cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective training solutions," said Kristen Jurn, H55 US Sales Manager. Voices from the Field: Flight Training and Innovation Experts React "The Bristell flies light on the stick—but the biggest difference is how quiet and smooth it is. The controls are responsive, even during taxi, and you can take your headset off mid-flight and carry on a conversation. From both a training and maintenance perspective, being able to bring the power to zero without riding the brakes is a big deal—brake replacements are among the most frequent maintenance issues." — Adam Valencic, Multi-Engine Instructor & President, First Landings Aviation "The overall handling was very nice, and the aircraft felt robust—even with baggage onboard and full communication with ATC. It's quiet, responsive, and a great fit for instructional programs. As technology advances, I see electric aircraft playing an increasingly important role in flight training." — Tiago Dikerts de Tella, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University "The Bristell combined with H55's electric propulsion is a brilliant pairing. The quiet, smooth flight experience—from taxi to takeoff—was a real pleasure. This is the beginning of a new era that will revolutionize general aviation—and perhaps even commercial flight." — Scott Vangen, NASA (Ret.), Alternate Payload Specialist Astronaut, STS-67 A Proven Concept, Ready to Scale Gregory Blatt, Co-Founder and Across America Mission Director, said: "With Solar Impulse, we proved that clean aviation was possible — flying around the world without a single drop of fuel. Now with H55, we're taking that vision further, delivering certified electric propulsion systems that are scalable, and ready for real-world use. Electric flight is no longer a future concept— it's here, meeting the highest safety standards while reducing maintenance, lowering costs, and enabling cleaner, quieter, and more reliable operations. For flight schools, general aviation, and the future of air mobility, this is a turning point." Looking Ahead H55's certified electric propulsion and intelligent battery systems take center stage as the company continues its 5-month journey across seven more states. With the Florida segment complete, the B23 Energic will lead the next phase of the tour, inviting representatives from flight schools, fixed-base operators (FBOs), military bases, college aviation programs, local educators, aviation enthusiasts, and industry leaders to experience firsthand how electric aviation is transforming general aviation and flight training. Next up: Alabama and Arizona in May. Both states play key roles in aviation and aerospace, offering fertile ground for introducing sustainable flight technologies to training hubs and research institutions. H55's propulsion systems are ideally suited to meet the growing demand for quiet, efficient, and emissions-free solutions in these dynamic general aviation ecosystems. Tour Schedule: H55 Across USA Tour Florida –Sun 'n Fun & multi-city tour | April 12–28 Montgomery, Alabama – May 7–9 Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona – May 20–25 Las Vegas, Nevada – June 3–6 Palo Alto, California – June 15–22 Colorado Springs & Pueblo, Colorado – July 2–7 Oshkosh, Wisconsin (EAA AirVenture) – July 21–27 The Hamptons, New York – August 6–10 Join the H55 Across USA Tour, see where we're headed next, and explore videos, pilot testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content, visit / and follow us on social media @H55. ch for the latest updates and highlights. For more testimonials: Click here About H55 H55 is a Swiss-based company founded by the former Solar Impulse management team: André Borschberg, Sebastien Demont, and Gregory Blatt. Dedicated to revolutionizing the aviation industry, H55 provides certified electric propulsion and battery management systems tailored to a diverse range of aircraft, aiming to achieve sustainable air travel. H55 supplies certified electric propulsion systems with full airplane integration solutions for general aviation and regional transport aircraft. Through its pioneering legacy and commitment to certified solutions, H55's team of visionary engineers and aerospace experts are at the forefront of driving the aviation industry setting new standards and pushing the boundaries of electric aviation. H55 SA Route de l'Aéroport 10 1950 Sion Switzerland
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
FAA ranks Florida third in nation for lasers pointed at aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration is reporting that laser strikes on aircraft nationwide are 'dangerously high,' with Florida ranking third among all states in 2024. The issue is not new, but it seems the incidents continue to give pilots another thing to worry about. Experts say lasers pointed at pilots can temporarily can temporarily impair their sight. Since the agency began monitoring these incidents in 2010, 328 pilots have been injured. In Orange County, pointing lasers at pilots, including a sheriff's helicopter, has led to multiple arrests in the past few years. Orange County has not seen any in the past year, but more than 12,000 other pilots did. While officials say those results are a 3% decrease from 2023, the numbers are still too high. California and Texas have the most incidents with more than 1,400. Florida came in third with 810. The report comes amid the most recent arrest in Florida. Dann Wagner, 61, was charged with felony misuse of a laser lighting device. Investigators say he pointed a green laser at a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office helicopter that was assisting in an assault case on March 27. Anthony Brickhouse teaches aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and says these incidents can be dangerous. 'I know just to the common eye, it doesn't seem that serious, but it can be a very serious situation. It could cause an accident. It could cause permanent damage to the pilot's eyes. So what a lot of people do, having fun, could end up being criminal at the end of the day,' he said. People who shine lasers at aircraft can face FAA fines up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. Offenders can also face federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison for a $250,000 fine, as well as state and local penalties. Do you have a story for WFTV's 9 Investigators? Click the banner below to submit a tip.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Scan, smile, board: Why your face might be your next boarding pass
There are some technological innovations I'm deeply skeptical of, things like Venmo or 23andme don't sit well with me. I don't want a third-party company getting access to my bank account or my DNA. I'll stick to Zelle and a hand-drawn family tree, thanks. That being said, other new tech? I'm all in on. When I fly, I rarely even have to take out my ID anymore now that I've opted in for touchless TSA Precheck and biometric boarding on international flights. In 2025, my face is my ID, and this experience is only likely to become more common in the future. 'Passengers don't want to spend too much time finding out where my wallet is, where my phone is and such,' Krishna Sampigethaya, chair of the Cyber Intelligence and Security Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University told me. He said biometric ID can actually be more secure from a flight safety standpoint than a traditional boarding pass, though he acknowledged there are some data privacy concerns with this new tech. Still, I have a driver's license and a passport, and I'm enrolled in Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so the government already has my face data. I may as well take advantage of the convenience. At a high level, with both biometric boarding and touchless ID at airports, a camera scans your face rather than a Transportation Security Administration officer or a gate agent verifying your personal data against your boarding pass. It leads to faster processing times at security, and faster boarding on international flights. Some airlines like Delta also use touchless ID at bag drop, which speeds things up there, too. But there are some limits to its applications for now. On the security checkpoint side, passengers need to be enrolled in Precheck and their airline's frequent flyer program, and only a few airlines participate in the touchless ID pilot right now: Alaska, Delta and United. Clear, a third-party company, also offers biometric security for an annual fee of $199. Both domestic and international travelers can use biometric ID at TSA Precheck checkpoints in select airports when they're flying with participating airlines, but for now, your face can generally only replace your boarding pass on international flights. 'Customers really quickly could grasp that biometrics, face matching, is a replacement for ID, but they're not yet willing to accept that it's a replacement for boarding pass,' Greg Forbes, Managing Director of Airport Experience at Delta, told me. He said customers generally seem fine with a face scan at a point where they'd have to present ID anyway, like at the TSA checkpoint or at the gate of an international flight instead of paper passport verification. But, he said, passengers are a little more hesitant about getting a scan when they wouldn't have to present ID. Still, in all the applications where biometrics are in use, passengers seem to like it. 'It's become expected. We definitely hear about it when there's some sort of technology issue when the cameras are down,' Forbes said. The TSA said customers have similarly had positive feedback of their touchless Precheck pilot. 'Everything that we have heard to date from the passengers who use it is they're glad and appreciative that this technology is being used the way it is,' Carter Langston, press secretary at the TSA, told me. Last week's Cruising Altitude: Airline seat selection fees offend me ... and they might get worse While it's inarguably convenient, biometric technology raises data privacy concerns for many travelers. There's no perfect system of course, but experts and officials said that the way airlines and airports use biometrics at the moment is relatively secure. 'All of this biometric traffic travels on a dedicated network within the airport that's hidden from the public. Typical cyber protections to harden the transaction,' Forbes said. He added that Delta Air Lines has other encryption steps that make it harder for bad actors to view personal data about passengers. According to the TSA, its systems generally delete facial recognition and personal traveler data immediately after identity verification. For touchless Precheck, data is stored for 24 hours after scheduled departure time. Sampigethaya said facial scans are so common these days that there's very little reason to single out airports as a particularly vulnerable site. 'Surveillance is pretty prevalent. The samples that are taken at the security checkpoints, for me it's not that much of a concern,' he said. Forbes said Delta uses biometric boarding instead of a boarding pass for more than 90% of international departures across its network. Many other airlines in the U.S. and abroad use biometric boarding for international flights as well. Langston said the TSA hopes to add more airlines and airports to its touchless Precheck pilot, though for now it will still require travelers to be enrolled in both the airline's frequent flyer program and Precheck to take advantage. Forbes said it's likely biometrics will continue having a bigger role in travel, especially as customers grow ever more comfortable with the technology. 'The use of biometrics on departure is pretty well-baked and functioning really well,' he said, and he expects biometric scans to play a bigger role in arrivals in the future. Global Entry members already use biometric scans instead of passports at many ports of entry in the U.S. Still, Sampigethaya said, it's good these changes aren't happening overnight. With scale comes more cybersecurity risk. 'It's a lot of computers that's gathering data,' he said, and more every time a new biometric system comes online. 'Are you really comfortable having an internet of things with all kinds of data and who is accessing those? In that context, you have to think twice before you agree to being scanned.' I get what he's saying, but my thinking remains: the government and airlines already have this data. Scan my face and let me get through the airport faster. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Facial recognition is speeding up airport lines | Cruising Altitude
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Embry-Riddle student, veteran recalls being hit by SUV: 'I was pretty blindsided'
The Brief A Marine Corps veteran and Embry-Riddle student was seriously injured when a driver ran a red light, hitting him and two others. Despite multiple fractures, he remains determined to pursue his dream of becoming a NASA astronaut. His recovery will be long, and a fundraiser has been set up to help with medical costs. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - One of three Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students hit by a car is speaking exclusively with FOX 35 News. The 24-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran said he hopes his injuries don't hold him back from his goal of becoming an astronaut. What we know On March 17, a 79-year-old man driving a red SUV ran a red light near Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, hitting three students in the crosswalk. One of the students, Haydin Gaylor, a 24-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, suffered multiple fractures and remains hospitalized. Another student has been discharged, while a third is still under care. What we don't know Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the driver will face any charges. The severity of the injuries sustained by the other two students has not been disclosed. The backstory Gaylor served five years in the Marine Corps' HMX-1 helicopter unit, supporting presidential missions. Now studying aerospace engineering, he hopes to become a pilot and, eventually, a NASA astronaut. His injuries have disrupted his plans but not his determination to recover and pursue his dreams. Big picture view The accident highlights concerns about pedestrian safety near the university. It also raises questions about road safety and potential risks posed by older drivers. Meanwhile, Gaylor's story has resonated with many, particularly those in the military and aviation communities. The accident occurred on March 17. Gaylor has already undergone one surgery and will need at least one more. His recovery is expected to be long, forcing him to relocate from his second-floor apartment to one without stairs. What they're saying "I never saw the guy coming; I was pretty blindsided," said Haydin Gaylor. From his hospital bed, Gaylor said he has broken bones in his leg, fractured vertebrae, a broken rib, finger, and clavicle. He has already undergone one surgery and will have to endure at least one more. "All things considered, I think I'm feeling okay," Gaylor said with a smile. Covered in bruises and road rash, Gaylor said the last thing he remembers was stepping off the curb. "That's just the nightmare call no parent ever wants to hear," said Adrienne Kunstadt. Kunstadt, Gaylor's mother, said she first thought it was a joke. When she realized Gaylor wasn't kidding, she high-tailed it to the hospital and hasn't left his side since. "It's very fortunate that I'm here," Kunstadt said. "I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world." One of the injured students has been discharged from the hospital. Gaylor and another remain under care. Gaylor said his injuries appeared to be the worst. He said a large dent in the car was caused by his body hitting the hood. "I ended up 20 feet away, and I could see the car in front of me," Gaylor said. "The first thing I noticed was that he had a Marine Corps license plate, and it was it was a little heartbreaking to get hit by one of my own." Gaylor, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served 5 years in the HMX-1 helicopter unit – the Presidential support squadron. Now, he is studying aerospace engineering and refuses to let his broken bones get in the way of his big dreams. "I want to be a pilot in either the air force or the navy for fixed-wing jets," Gaylor said. "That way I can get into the test pilot program, and then, hopefully transfer, be picked – selected as an astronaut for NASA." What you can do Gaylor's road to recovery will be a long one. Right now, he said he lives in a second-floor apartment. Once he's released from the hospital, he said he will have to end his lease and find an apartment on the ground floor, as he won't be able to climb stairs for a while. Gaylor's aunt set up a GoFundMe to help with his medical expenses. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Daytona Beach Police Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Haydin Gaylor, a 24-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, suffered multiple fractures and remains hospitalized.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
3 Embry-Riddle students hit by car near campus, school confirms
The Brief Three Embry-Riddle students were hit by a car while walking near campus in Daytona Beach. Their conditions remain unknown as police and the university investigate. Officials urge drivers and pedestrians to stay cautious in the area. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Three Embry-Riddle students were hit by a car while walking near campus in Daytona Beach. What we know Three students from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University were struck by a car while walking near the front entrance of the campus on Clyde Morris Boulevard in Daytona Beach. The incident occurred on campus property, prompting an ongoing investigation by both the university and the Daytona Beach Police Department. What we don't know Authorities have not released details on the severity of the students' injuries. It is also unclear whether the driver involved remained at the scene or what factors contributed to the accident. Local perspective Pedestrian safety remains a growing concern in Daytona Beach, especially in high-traffic areas near the university. What they're saying In a statement, Embry-Riddle officials said they are working closely with police to investigate the crash. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident," the university said, urging caution for both pedestrians and drivers. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Daytona Beach Police Department.
