Latest news with #EmbryRiddle
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Embry-Riddle graduate participated in NASA study about Mars travel
Among the graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Campus launching the next step in their careers May 31 was at least one who hopes to launch into space someday ― and maybe even head to Mars. Like other graduates set to walk across the stage, Shareef Al Romaithi, from Abu Dhabi, is already in an established career. The Worldwide Campus offers a range of fully online degree programs, which is attractive to professionals. Romaithi, 41, is a captain with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. But what first drew him to Embry-Riddle was his dream of becoming an astronaut. "I followed the steps of the Apollo astronauts, and so I became an engineer," he said. He graduated Saturday with his master's degree in space operations. He already has a doctorate in aviation and a bachelor's and two master's degrees in aerospace and aviation-related areas. Embry-Riddle expected 465 students to graduate from the Worldwide Campus May 31: 257 undergraduates and 208 graduate students. The commencement ceremony was held at the ICI Center at the Daytona Beach campus. In separate events in May, more than 1,700 students participated in graduation ceremonies for the university's residential campuses in Daytona Beach and Prescott, Arizona. On Saturday, Al Romaithi's wife attended his graduation with him. They have three daughters. While "life took a different path" that led him to commercial flight, he still wants to be an astronaut, he said. His interest in the field prompted him to participate in a NASA study to simulate a journey to Mars, according to Etihad Airways. The study put him and a few others in a "habitat" about the size of a studio apartment for 45 days to study the effects of isolation, limited privacy and limited space on crew performance, he said. Getting to the red planet would actually take seven to 10 months, according to NASA. "They view it (45 days) as the ideal time to collect the necessary amount of data for their own purposes," Al Romaithi said. Despite the cramped quarters and lack of privacy, he described it as a smooth experience. And, if the opportunity to go to Mars ever does come up, Al Romaithi said he's interested. "I mean, if there's a return ticket, then why not?" he said. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Embry-Riddle graduate says he'd be open to Mars visit
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
How Long Will It Take to Fix Air Traffic Control?
How long will it take to address the outages plaguing our air traffic control system? Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Air Traffic Management Program Coordinator Michael McCormick says it won't happen overnight, even as the Trump administration calls for an overhaul of the system. (Source: Bloomberg)
Travel Daily News
7 days ago
- Science
- Travel Daily News
Advanced air mobility operations at Orlando International Airport
Embry‑Riddle research shows air taxis and autonomous aircraft can safely integrate into Orlando International Airport without disrupting commercial flights. DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – A study by Embry‑Riddle researchers has demonstrated that advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles, such as air taxis and autonomous aircraft, could be integrated at Orlando International Airport in Florida without disrupting existing commercial air traffic. The research, published in April in the MDPI journal Aerospace, represents one of the first evaluations of AAM integration at a major U.S. airport, according to the peer-reviewed paper. The study was commissioned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), the public entity that operates and manages Orlando International Airport. The researchers collaborated with the aviation authority to identify preferred 'corridors' within Orlando International's airspace that could accommodate the integration of AAM aircraft. These futuristic aircraft – capable of vertical takeoff and landing or short takeoff and landing operations – are emerging to transport people or cargo in urban and regional areas. Using historical air traffic data from one of the airport's busiest days – March 25, 2023 – the researchers employed state-of-the-art modeling software to simulate the effects of AAM integration on potential wake turbulence and air traffic conflicts. The software, known as Total Airspace and Airport Modeler, can simulate existing and redesigned airspace, flight schedules, aircraft paths, wake turbulence, airport ground operations and many other factors. Using this advanced simulation modeling, the study found that operating up to 22 AAM vehicles would result in zero air traffic or wake turbulence conflicts. The researchers said that the study has established a foundation for other researchers and airport officials to understand the operational impacts and factors of integrating AAM aircraft into the National Airspace System in a safe and controlled environment. According to the published paper, examining the ramifications of integrating AAM into the current air transportation system is critical due to the potential impact 'on the safety of the traveling public.' Dr. Victor Fraticelli Rivera, assistant professor of Aeronautical Science, said that the study, conducted at one of the nation's busiest airports, 'offers an opportunity to explore innovative transportation solutions within congested, complex and highly regulated airspace,' adding that 'collaboration with all stakeholders in the aviation and aerospace ecosystem is vital to ensure AAM's sustainable, efficient and safe integration.' Also involved in the study were Dr. Robert Thomas, associate professor of Aeronautical Science; Carlos Castro Peña, director of operations for Embry‑Riddle's Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems; and Sakurako Kuba, a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, whose research focuses on aviation and aerospace cybersecurity, air traffic simulation and airspace traffic pattern visualization. Kuba's role in the project was simulating air traffic using the historical flight data and implementing conceptual AAM configurations at the airport to quantify airspace impact, she said. 'Contributing to real-world challenges in AAM development provides students with valuable exposure to the future of airspace operations,' Kuba said. 'It allows us to grasp the idea of existing airspace management and to better understand how next-gen airspace development is evolving.' Kuba said collaboration with industry partners and receiving their feedback was also particularly valuable. 'It not only helps us grow professionally but also builds confidence in our skills and prepares us for impactful careers in this emerging field,' she said. Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the study complements an ongoing collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration's Innovate 28 program, which explores integrating AAM safely into Orlando International's airspace. 'We appreciate the partnership with Embry‑Riddle,' Lyttle said, 'and hope the research will advance connection and innovation within the Central Florida aerospace ecosystem.'
Condé Nast Traveler
09-05-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
Will the Newark Airport Chaos Repeat Itself at Other US Airports This Summer?
For the past 10 days, US travelers have been watching chaos unfold at Newark airport. The week-plus of disruptions began on April 28, when a loss in communications and radar at the airport's air traffic control tower kicked off a ripple effect of mass delays and cancellations, impacting thousands of travelers. The situation at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport has since improved slightly: On May 9, there were 141 delays and 66 cancellations at the air travel hub by 9:30 a.m., according to FlightAware. Meanwhile, inbound flights faced delays of about two hours at their airports of origin. One of the driving factors behind the havoc at Newark is a shortage of air traffic controllers. The US air travel system currently needs to hire about 3,000 air traffic controllers to reach full staffing levels, according to Airlines for America, an industry lobby group. As the peak summer travel season approaches, one question on the minds of many travelers right now is if the situation at Newark could repeat itself at other airports around the country. Fortunately, one expert says that's 'absolutely not' likely to happen. Although the air traffic controller shortage is ongoing nationwide, the issues facing Newark are locally unique, according to Michael McCormick, professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a former air traffic controller. 'What happened at Newark was specific to Newark because it involves the move of the approach control from Long Island to Philadelphia,' he tells Condé Nast Traveler. 'What happened at Newark was specific to Newark" Michael McCormick, professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a former air traffic controller In July 2024, Newark's air traffic operations, called 'approach control' in industry parlance, were moved to Philadelphia International Airport in an attempt to shore up staffing levels. 'The New York approach control has been chronically understaffed, and it's been that way since the controller strike in 1981,' McCormick says. 'So to mitigate that, they decided to move the approach control from Westbury, Long Island, down to Philadelphia because Philadelphia has not had a problem either attracting, training, or retaining air traffic controllers.'
