Purdue University Aviation and Transportation Technology

Our own Assistant Professor, Debra Henneberry, has published her book, ‘Investigating Transport Accidents: Human Performance and Intelligent Systems’

In Print: ‘Investigating Transport Accidents: Human Performance and Intelligent Systems’ Publication title Investigating Transport Accidents: Human Performance and Intelligent Systems Purdue author Debra Henneberry Authors Debra Henneberry Dimitrios Ziakkas Publisher CRC Press Publication…

🚨 FAA Recognition 🚨

The Federal Aviation Administration has selected Purdue’s Unmanned Aerial Systems program for its Unmanned Aircraft Systems–Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) —recognizing Purdue Aviation's commitment to hands-on flight training, regulatory knowledge, and next-generation autonomous aviation.
This partnership with the FAA recognizes the UAS major as being in line with federal standards, advancing a program that makes "ready to lead" graduates.
Learn more:
https://lnkd.in/g8jp5NkJ

Congratulations to Dr. Damon Lercel, Dr. Joe Hupy, and Dr. Nathan Rose for their outstanding contributions to Indiana’s successful FAA Test Site designation!

https://www.therepublic.com/2026/01/08/indiana-wins-national-drone-test-site-designation/

An additional congratulations to Dr. Lercel on his appointment by Governor Mike Braun to the Indiana Initiative for Drone Dominance Task Force—well deserved recognition of his leadership and expertise.

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/trumps-transportation-secretary-duffy-faa-administrator-bedford-announce-two-new

Indiana wins national drone test site designation - The Republic News By Niki Kelly Indiana Capital Chronicle For The Republic The Trump administration on Thursday announced Indiana as one of two new national drone test sites — a designation that could attract jobs and spending from the industry. Sen. Todd Young, who spearheaded the effort to land the site, applaude...

✈️ Purdue Flight Team Soars at NIFA Regionals! ✈️

The Flight Team recently competed at the NIFA Regional Competition hosted by Saint Louis University (Oct. 12–18) and earned 2nd place overall across all trophy categories!

🏆 Highlights include:
• 1st and 3rd place finishes in the Message Drop event
• Top 10 placements in nearly every ground event
• A full Purdue sweep in the Simulated Comprehensive Navigation event (4th–10th place!)

Huge congratulations to our dedicated team members for their hard work, precision, and teamwork. Your efforts truly make Purdue proud! 💪🖤💛

Space and Aviation Reunion set for Nov. 6-7
Registration is open for the Space and Aviation Alumni Reunion, taking place Nov. 6-7. Presented in partnership with the College of Engineering and Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the event will include programming dedicated to both fields, their global impact and outlook. Reunion sessions will feature industry leaders, including a conversation with Bryan Bedford, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Alumni and friends can register online for this opportunity to network, explore innovation and celebrate their professional achievements.

Social media bitly: https://purdue.university/saar

Link to PFLF social content toolkit: https://link.us-1.lytho.us/i/1759932899009ee9e2c91-eecf-45e7-bf2b-c8fddfd4fa98 -and-aviation-…

Space and Aviation Reunion - Purdue for Life Foundation Join President Mung Chiang in West Lafayette for a special program dedicated to space and aviation, their global impact, and outlook. Reconnect with fellow Boilermakers, explore groundbreaking innovation, and celebrate your leadership and professional achievements.

Allison Boyd, a 2025 graduate who majored in Aeronautical Engineering Technology, said that the steps students first took to get from home to Purdue were small — but, at the time, they felt colossal. Two of the most noteworthy Purdue Boilermakers, Neil Armstrong and Amelia Earhart, are fixed stars to steer by, but critics said neither of them could succeed. "Good thing we didn't major in 'can't,'" Allison says. "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? What would be your first step?"

Allison delivered this inspirational speech at Purdue's Spring 2025 commencement ceremony for the Polytechnic. She was introduced by Purdue University President Mung Chiang.

https://youtu.be/sZasfga3qG8

Alllison Boyd presents student response at Spring 2025 Commencement – Purdue Polytechnic Allison Boyd, a 2025 graduate who majored in Aeronautical Engineering Technology, said that the steps students first took to get from home to Purdue were sma...

Congratulations to Stan Melkumian, School of Aviation and Transportation Technology Aeronautical Engineering Technology student, for his first-place poster, Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Carbon Fiber Bridges, at the 2024 Fall Undergraduate Research Expo! Jacob Robert Montrose, Garam Kim, and Timothy D Ropp were his mentors.

Michael Davis, director of aircraft maintenance, and Jon Ziulkowski, senior lecturer and Part 141 flight operations quality assessment manager, have designed and implemented magneto safety guards for the Piper Archer aircraft in Purdue University’s fleet. Their patent-pending safety guard ensures that student pilots and maintenance personnel who approach an aircraft know its engine and propeller are turned off.

Purdue aviation experts invent, license safety guard for Piper Archer aircraft - Purdue Polytechnic Institute Purdue Polytechnic’s Michael Davis and Jon Ziulkowski have designed and implemented magneto safety guards for the Piper Archer aircraft in Purdue University’s fleet. Their patent-pending safety guard ensures that student pilots and maintenance personnel who approach an aircraft know its engine a...

Happy birthday United Aviate!!

Dr. Garam Kim, PhD, and SATT students participated in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) 2024, held from 9/4 to 9/6 in Novi, MI. It was a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about composites and connect with industry partners. Dr. Kim supported the conference as a session organizer (bonding, joining, and finishing session).

Presentation - Investigation of Performance of Different Threaded Inserts in Fiber Reinforced Composite Laminate (Garam Kim)

Technical paper - Optimization of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Patch

Repair for Steel Bridge Girders (Sungjun Choi)

Technical paper - Investigation of Additively Manufactured Composite

Modular Tooling Under Thermal Cycling (Jacob Montrose)

Poster - Carbon Fiber Thermoplastic Fiber Length

Measurements: Planer, Shredder, and CNC machine (Hanhyun Kwak)

Poster - Evaluation of Chladni Patterns in Fiber-Reinforced

Polymers with Different Fiber Orientation (Paul Park)

Poster - Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Honeycomb Core

Fabrication and Investigation of Its Compression Property (Sucheol Woo)

Poster - Investigation of 3D Printed Reinforced Composite

Tool Shape Stability During Multiple Autoclave Cycle (Seongyun Kim)