Brandon Badraoui (IG: @brandonbadphoto) Front Cover
Penelope Anderson
Camrin Coubertier
Dominic Popolo
Brandon Badraoui
Andrew Comparetta
Emilee Imler
Emilee Imler (IG: @emileeimlerphoto) Back Cover
Contributors & Page Editors
Camrin Coubertier
Emilee Imler
Brandon Badraoui
Andrew Comparetta
Penelope Anderson
Dominic Popolo
Kaden McVerry
Jillian Preite
Bailey Braun
David Guerra
Sophia Beckwith Rachael Tran
Cooper Hilt
Advisors
Indira Diaz
Assistant Director of Student Government
SGA Executive Board
President sgapres@erau.edu
Vice President sgavpres@erau.edu
Treasurer sgatres@erau.edu
Chief Justice sgachfj@erau.edu
EIC, The Avion editor@theavion.com
GM, WIKD 102.5 general.manager@wikd1025.com
Chairperson, TNG chair@touch-n-go.org
Ander Turueno Garcia
Teshome S. Teshome
Bryce Farnham
Arianne Barlowe
Penelope Anderson
Tallulah León
Sahil Singh
06
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FEATURES
ERT SUSPENSION
Read more into the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Emergency Response Teams (ERT) probation leading to their suspension.
DAYTONA 500
500 laps of American Racing, Thunderbird fly overs, President Trump pacing the track, you dont want to miss this recap showcasing the winner and the intense battles.
ROLEX 24
The annual Rolex 24 race is back this year, bringing new winners, and some that thought they never had a chance.
IG: @brandonbadphoto
IG: @emileeimlerphoto
CURRENT EVENTS CURRENT EVENTS
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
Wildfires have spread across California year after year, but this year has stood out unlike any other for the destruction and wreckage it has inflicted. Fierce flames consumed heavily populated regions of California including the luxurious Hollywood hills, the Malibu mansions, and Santa Monica. The fires began January 7th but quickly multiplied and flourished from heavy winds and dry conditions. According to NBC News, the Eaton fire and Palisades fire are 100% contained, following a month of nearly 40,000 acres accumulated destruction. Though many people lost their homes and prized possessions, some even lost their life. The Harvard Gazette estimated about 85 deaths, in just the Palisades fire alone. Recovery and hope are building their way on the ashes of all affects areas of California.
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
On January 20th, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term. President Trump has referred to his comeback as “a golden age”. Following his first term from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House is unprecedented, as no president has served two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland. Many prominent figures were present for the inauguration, including Big Tech Billionaires such as: Elon Musk (X), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Tim Cook (Apple), and Sundar Pichai (Google). With Trump’s return to the Oval Office, controversy stays lingering but will that define the term or will it carry out to be “a golden age”.
DCA MID-AIR COLISION
On January 29th, 2025, a tragic mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 64 passengers and crew on the plane and 3 soldiers aboard the aircraft. Investigations by the NTSB suggest that the Black Hawk was operating at an altitude exceeding the authorized limitations of 200 feet. According to CBS News, this incident was considered the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly 16 years. The pilot of the American Airlines aircraft involved in the collision was Capt. Jonathan Campos, a graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2015. The university has expressed deep sadness over his passing and offered condolences to his family and others affected by this tragedy.
SUPERBOWL LIX
The 59th Annual Superbowl took place, with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Kansas City Chiefs by a margin of 40-22. The Eagles took a commanding lead at the start of the game and were able to carry it to the end despite last minute scoring attempts by the Chiefs. This kept the Chiefs from winning their third Superbowl in a row, after they beat the San Fransisco 49’ers in 2024 and the Eagles in 2023. Kendrick Lamar and SZA headlined the halftime show, where they performed his such as “Not Like Us”, “Luther”, and “All the Stars.”
ANDREW HARNIKVV
ESPN
In a decision made by the university administration on January 10, 2025, the Embry-Riddle Emergency Response Team (ERT) has been put on a two-year suspension, halting all operations and emergency dispatch services effective immediately. The suspension results from allegations of improper conduct, unauthorized purchases, and bullying and hazing while on probation.
The probation, which was in effect from June 2024 through the end of the Fall 2024 semester, stemmed from allegations of bullying and harassment and the need for overall improvement in the organizations culture. Due to this, the organization was not allowed to accept any new members but was allowed to continue normal operations in providing medical services to students.
At the beginning of December 2024, the organization was halted in its services while under investigation by the Dean of Students and upper administration for continued and emerging violations under their probation. During this time, “the misuse of SGA funds, conduct within the organization, and breach of university policy and procedures were found,” according to the SGA Executive Board Meeting Minutes on January 13, 2025.
Throughout the investigation, information was provided to SGA officials for transparency about the probation violations and other offenses that led to their suspension. This information included the unauthorized purchase of county-frequency radios with two-way communication capabilities, which were of higher price than the radios initially approved for purchase. Furthermore, additional emengency lights were added to ERT vehicles after they were informed by the university officials and Campus Safety that installment and operation were not authorized.
“Decisions to address behavior are administrative and never made by just one person at the university level,” said Student Government Association President Ander Turueno Garcia, “These decisions are not made by SGA.”
An unofficial statement was released through the ERT Instagram account on January 10, 2025, the day the ERT Board was informed about the suspension. According to the SGA Executive Board Meeting Minutes, ERT was told not to publish anything on social media, which was disobeyed by the ERT Executive Board. The post stayed public for four hours until it was taken down.
Since the suspension of the former division, university communications, and upper administration have not commented on the ongoing investigations into ERT. On January 15, 2025, the Daytona Beach SGA sent out an email and posted a video to the official ERAU SGADB Instagram account, acknowledging the situation but was unable to comment due to ongoing investigations. This was the only official statement in response to the suspension.
The suspension received backlash from students, alumni, and parents on different social media platforms. On Instagram, eraubadparking from Embry-Riddle Prescott posted different opinions and polls from students on his story, sharing how they were impacted by the suspension. Additionally, students and alumni expressed their divided opinions on both Instagram posts, either for their support for the former division or their support for the suspension.
On Yik Yak, the anonymous location-based social media platform, various rumors, conspiracy theories, and false accusations, ranging from budget cuts to patient deaths, were circulated after the decision. These false accusations were also found on other platforms, including the Embry-Riddle student Snapchat stories and unofficial parent Facebook groups.
Although investigations are still ongoing, the former division was officially removed from the SGA Constitution at the SGA General Session on February 4, 2025. The decision on how to proceed with the organization after the two-year suspension has been determined by “ERT starting from square one when the two-year suspension is done under a different department, not SGA,” according to the SGA Executive Board Meeting Minutes.
If you are in need of assistance Campus Safety is responding to emergency calls at(386) - 226 -7233.
PENELOPE ANDERSON editor-in-chief
As the Editor in Chief (EIC) of the Avion, the circumstances surrounding the suspension of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) provoked me to reflect on how a Division of the Student Government Association (SGA) was allowed to get to this point. While watching the story unfold, knowing that the events would be recorded in an article in Issue One of Spring 2025, I asked myself a series of questions. First and most importantly, how did an oversight of this magnitude take place? Secondly, did ERT have trained administrative staff who were capable of advising this Division? Lastly, looking at the SGA as a whole, is this issue tied to the rapid expansion of the SGA? I recognize that I may not get the answers to all of these questions, though I hope that they will cause us to reflect on the situation and implement necessary changes that will prevent a similar situation from happening in the future. It is important to recognize the loss of ERT as an SGA Division is a loss to the student body. This was a unique service that resonated with many students. However, maintaining a standard of integrity and excellence within the SGA is paramount to maintaining trust between students and their representatives. Ultimately, all Divisions and branches within the SGA must be held accountable to upholding the Embry-Riddle standard. Moving forward, I hope to see genuine changes and action taken that will propel the SGA and its Divisions to grow and be stronger.
Penelope Anderson
DIRTCAR NATIONALS
The beginning of February marks the start of the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.
This event draws dirt racing fans from around the world to witness the spectacle of racing at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” Two weeks of sprint cars, late models, and modifieds take to the track, all vying for the coveted Gator trophies.
The DIRTcar Nationals is a globally recognized event, often considered a crown jewel victory for drivers and owners alike. Racers travel from multiple countries to compete for a share of the more than $970,000 purse awarded throughout the two weeks of competition.
On Feb. 8, World of Outlaws sprint cars and DIRTcar UMP modifieds raced for the Big Gator trophy. The Big Gator trophy is awarded to the driver who accumulates the most points over the four days their events are held.
Curt Spalding, a small-team dirt track racer from Watervliet, Mich., claimed the Big Gator for the modifieds. His last Big Gator win came five years ago, and he finally broke that streak of winless Nationals at Volusia.
On the World of Outlaws side of the event, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson took home the Big Gator. This marks his first DIRTcar Nationals win, adding to his lengthy résumé of major racing victories.
WORDS & DESIGN & PHOTOS: Andrew Comparetta / Broadcast Manager
TO DIRT DAYTONA
Florida
is often called one of the homes of racing, with tracks like Daytona International Speedway, also known as “The World Center of Racing,” located right here in Daytona.
This track hosts events referred to as “Crown Jewels” in the racing world. Events like the Rolex 24 Hours, the Daytona 500, the Daytona 200, and the Coke Zero 400 are races every driver hopes to win for a special career milestone.
The Daytona 500, specifically, is the track’s biggest event of the year, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans from across the world to witness the spectacle. For NASCAR drivers, this race is seen as a bucket-list victory from the moment they start racing. Most drivers begin at their local racetracks before reaching the top level of American motorsports. Often
racing on short dirt or asphalt ovals in small towns, they work to become one of the select few who get a shot in NASCAR.
The East Coast, specifically the Southeast, is filled with these short tracks. Florida alone has more than 40 racetracks, from the Gulf Coast to Miami, the Space Coast, and everywhere in between. These tracks, much like high school football fields, are where motorsports athletes get their start.
Volusia Speedway Park is one of these tracks. Relatively big for its kind, the half-mile dirt oval is often called “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” Winning at Volusia is considered a major stepping stone in a racing career. The DIRTcar Nationals, held during the two weeks leading up to the Daytona 500, is known as the “Super Bowl” of dirt racing.
Drivers who win during the DIRTcar Nationals are viewed as some of the greats in the dirt racing world, with notable winners including Scott Bloomquist and Clint Bowyer. The event also draws current big-name drivers.
Christopher Bell, Justin Allgaier, and Kyle Larson were among the top drivers who participated in this year’s DIRTcar Nationals and the Daytona 500 within the same two weeks. Many drivers have attempted this in the past with mixed results.
These drivers compete in these races to reconnect with grassroots racing, where they first started. Bell, Allgaier, Larson, and many other top racers in American motorsports grew up on local dirt tracks and returned to honor the foundation of their careers.
DAYTONA 500
BY: Andrew Comparetta / Broadcast Manager
PAGE
The 67th running of the Great American Race capped off this year’s Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
Drawing crowds of more than 100,000 for the Daytona 500 alone, the weekend was a magnet for major sponsors and celebrities as drivers battled for the largest motorsports purse ever, totaling more than $30 million.
The race started in patriotic fashion, with President Donald Trump making an appearance at this year’s event. As actor Anthony Mackie gave the command to start engines and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds roared overhead, drivers prepared to begin the 500-mile marathon to the checkered flag.
Chase Briscoe, driving his Toyota Camry to the manufacturer’s first pole in the 500, led the field to green. Drivers battled hard through the opening laps until rain hit the speedway at the 10-lap mark.
After the delay, the field returned to green with the sun setting over the speedway. Stage 1 was dominated by the Team Penske Fords, with other drivers making runs at the lead.
The compelling competition in Stage one ended with reigning champion Joey Logano taking the greenwhite-checkered flag. His lead was short-lived, however, when Logano’s team found a piece of debris lodged in an intake, sapping his car of power.
Stage 2 was led by the Team Penske Fords, with other non-Penske drivers like Bubba Wallace and Noah Gragson making runs at the front of the field as well. The three-wide racing thrilled fans, with constant battles throughout the entire stage.
Stage 2 concluded with Ryan Blaney taking the stage win, while his Team Penske teammate Austin Cindric finished runner-up. Other notable drivers, such as Kyle Busch, earned stage points after running up front for most of the race.
The final stage featured sideby-side racing throughout the field, with drivers rising and fading as the night went on.
The complexion of the race changed with 15 laps to go when a surging Joey Logano made contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after a late block, triggering a crash that took out nine cars, including Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch.
This put Corey LaJoie, an open-entry driver who raced his way in during the Duels on Thursday, in the lead when the race restarted with eight laps to go.
Trouble struck again with five laps remaining when Christopher Bell lost control and made contact with Ryan Preece, sending Preece’s car airborne and onto its roof in Turn 3. Preece was able to exit the car under his own power and was uninjured in the accident.
“But when the car took off like that, it got real quiet. All I thought about was my daughter,” Preece told Fox Sports after being released from the care center. “I’m
lucky to walk away, but we’re getting really close to somebody not being able to, so I’m very grateful.”
As the field went back to green for overtime, Austin Cindric and Denny Hamlin controlled the front row. On the final lap, Cole Custer made a late move, causing a multi-car crash involving most of the frontrunners.
The race stayed green, and charging from outside the top five, Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron took the checkered flag, winning his second consecutive Daytona 500.
“Well, I think you can’t underestimate the amount of preparation and teamwork we had throughout the week. We had an awesome car today,” Byron told the press. “We just didn’t have the track position to show it, and the way the fuel savings and strategy worked out.”
The 2025 Speedweeks featured exhilarating racing, from pole qualifying on Wednesday to the thrilling conclusion of the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
A Student’s Creative Take on Weather and Wildlife VEERY BIRD
Ifyou were to tell me before starting college that I would write a book during my time there, I would have definitely not believed you. However, with the help of dedicated professors, I was able to successfully write a children’s book!
It all started when I decided to take on an independent study with Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Bachelor of Science in Communication, Steven Master, and Associate Professor and Associate Chair in Communication, Dr. Cassandra Branham, in the fall of 2024.
With my future career being broadcast meteorology, I knew I wanted my study to focus on a topic relating to weather, but coming up with a specific topic became quite the feat.
That was until Dr. Branham asked me if I had ever heard of an eery bird. As soon as I discovered what a Veery bird was, ideas started flooding my brain.
To give some background, weighing in at one ounce (equivalent to a pencil), Veery birds are a small, plump thrush species that reside in the northern United States but migrate to South America for the winter.
Now, here is where it gets interesting. Veeries migrate during the peak of hurricane season (mid-September), and studies have found that they can possibly ‘predict’ the severity of hurricane season. This is because, during more severe hurricane seasons, Veeries tend to terminate breeding season and migrate south over the Gulf of Mexico earlier to avoid possible hurricanes.
It is unclear how these small thrush birds can sense this, but it is a trend that continues to be proven consistent year after year.
Given this information, one of the first ideas that came to mind was to write a children’s book about a Veery bird’s journey to South America. From that moment on, I immediately started to think of a plot.
I went back and forth on multiple different plots, titles, and themes, but ultimately landed on a bird named Penny and her journey with her friend Ollie migrating early due to them sensing an active hurricane season. From there, I developed the title Penny’s Race Against the Storm.
Writing and designing the book was by no means easy. I spent countless days and hours perfecting the storyline and illustration to go with it.
In the end, Professor Master, Dr. Branham, and I could not be happier with the result!
To go along with the book, an informative brochure and infographic were also produced.
This project could not have been possible without the help of both Professor Master and Dr. Branham, and I cannot thank them enough for their mentorship throughout this process!
TheEmbry-Riddle Center of Career and Professional Development offers students comprehensive services and resources to ensure they excel in the global employment market. Located on the Third Floor of the Student Union, students, employers, and alumni all have access to the services that the center provides.
“Our team at the Center for Career and Professional Development is excited to introduce new initiatives that bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world practical experience,” said Heather Kim, the Senior Executive Director for the Centers for Career and Professional Development at the Daytona, Prescott, and Worldwide campuses.
While the main event of the semester is the Career Expo taking place in late March, the center can assist students yearround. Some of the services they provide are mock interviews, resume reviews, internship searches, and more.
“Eagle Job Shadow Day offers students the unique opportunity to spend a day with a local company, shadowing professionals in their chosen field,” said Kim. “Through our Alternative Fall Break and Alternative Spring Break programs, students can visit companies, observe workplace environments, and immerse themselves in the culture and daily operations”
The center also partners with major companies, such as United and Boeing, to host special events to ensure students have every opportunity to network with industry leaders before graduation. For smaller majors, the center hosts specialized networking nights to ensure that students in smaller majors, who may not have many options at the career expo, are still getting the chance to network.
To make appointments with your career services advisor or see open job and internship postings, use the Handshake app. Once downloaded and signed in with your Embry-Riddle account, you can utilize all the resources the center offers!
“I am proud of this caring and hardworking team as they are dedicated to meeting students where they are,” added Kim.
Many students do not realize the extent of services that the Center for Career and Professional Development provides. Even so, the center will still do everything it can to ensure students have the best networking opportunities available and have a job lined up after graduation.
HUNT LIBRARY EVENTS
WORDS: HUNT LIBRARY
DESIGN: PENELOPE ANDERSON / Editor-in-cheif
Leisure Book Collection
Need a break? Swing by the Hunt Library and take advantage of the new 30-day loan period for our leisure collection! Now, you can have ample time to immerse yourself in one of our diverse and captivating titles. Not sure what to pick? No worries! With our rotation of exciting book displays, you will always be able to discover your next favorite read. Stop by and check out our current lineup of displays!
March Lineup: Women’s History Month, Need My Space & Get Ready for the Spring Career Expo!
Open Education Week |March 3 – 7, 2025
A week-long celebration with tabling in each college and educational events in-person, asynchronous, and online focused on open education.
March 19, 2025 | 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Want to gain a competitive edge with comprehensive industry research? Join this quick and informative 30-minute webinar to learn about IBISWorld, a powerful market research database covering 700+ U.S. industries and select global markets.
Learn how to access in-depth reports featuring industry trends, market size, competitor analysis, and growth forecasts—all in one place. Whether you’re a student or faculty member, this session will help you explore IBISWorld’s capabilities and understand how to use this valuable resource.
March 26, 2025 | 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Learn to navigate Ch-Aviation in this 30-minute webinar. Ch-Aviation provides relevant and up-to-date aviation intelligence and insightful news. Ch-aviation accurately tracks and monitors airline-specific data sets, presenting them in an easy-to-use format. Gain access to essential data sets on airlines, aircraft, airports, and operators from across the globe.
April 2, 2025 | 1 – 1:30 p.m.
Ever wondered how to effectively measure, demonstrate, and communicate the impact of your research? The answer lies in bibliometrics!
In this engaging 30-minute webinar, you’ll receive a concise yet comprehensive introduction to research impact metrics—covering journal, author, and article-level metrics. Learn how to navigate top databases like Web of Science, Scopus, Dimensions, and Journal Citation Reports (JCR) to find and interpret key metrics.
Whether you’re a researcher, faculty member, or student, this session will equip you with the tools to showcase your research influence. To register for any of these webinars, please scan the QR code. If you cannot attend, you can still sign up and the recording will be sent to you.
MEET THE
WORDS: Sophia Beckwith/ Correspondent
DESIGN: Kaden McVerry / Staff
Welcometo the Makerspace, a student-led manfacturing design lab in the College of Engineering. Here, trained student technicians produce various of parts using additive manufacturing techniques. In the lab, technicians use 3D printers, resin printers, and 3D scanners and even conduct material research with their composites team. The current inventory consists of three Prusa MK3s+ printers, three Prusa mini+ printers, six Bambu A1 mini printers, four Bambu x1C printers, one Bambu x1E printer, three Formlab 4 Resin Printers, and one Voron 2.4B student-built printer.
All students and faculty can enjoy the luxuries the Makerspace offers for a variety of projects, including parts for engineering course projects, prototypes for business projects, personal ideas, and more. 3D printed projects are often costly, but in the Makerspace, they do everything to decrease costs and bring your ideas to life. New procedures have recently allowed for cost reduction, meaning the Makerspace will only charge you for the cost of materials, and any misprint is on them! It’s cheaper, safer, and more practical to print with the Makerspace. Makerspace is not just a place for 3D printing; it has a variety of post-processing applications such as sanding, painting, gluing, assembly, and quality assurance.
The Makerspace is currently working on hosting workshops that provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the various printers and 3D solutions it offers. The maker space is not just for engineering students. Students from all majors are highly encouraged to stop by, enhance their skills, learn something new, and utilize its valuable services.
Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on current events. If you have any questions or inquiries, stop by the Makerspace on weekdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Lehman building room 132 or reach out through their Instagram at dbmspace!
LEVEL UP YOUR SUMMER
Summers
at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus offer much more than surf, sun and sea breezes — they provide the perfect opportunity for students to advance their education and make the most out of campus life.
Students who spend summer 2025 under the palms can earn extra cash, save on tuition and elevate their flight training. They can also make additional academic progress and accelerate their journey to graduation.
The “Level Up Your Summer” program starts with Summer A on May 13 — or May 5 if you study Aviation Maintenance Science — and continues into Summer B, which begins July 1.
Spending the summer on campus offers unique experiences at a different rhythm, and this year, there are more perks than ever before.
For instance, students who work on campus and take at least six credits during the summer A, B or C terms are eligible for a $2 hourly bonus incentive paid at the end of each term.
There is also a 15% discount on summer tuition, and students can live in New Res Hall 1 at a discounted rate.
For aspiring aviators, the summer terms offer even more opportunities to spend time in the sky to build up hours, experience and ratings. Nearly every day can include flight training, which helps maintain proficiency and strengthens bonds with fellow pilots and flight instructors.
Student pilots who choose this approach should plan to stay on campus between the end of summer semester and the start of fall term.
Embry-Riddle’s summer program is the ultimate chance for students to level up their education while enjoying time with friends and experiencing the summer life in one of the world’s top beach towns.
Early reports indicate seats are going fast, so find out more about making this summer one for the books. Check out all the details at: erau.edu/lp/daytonabeach-summer
WORDS: Grace Hamilton / PR Specialist
DESIGN: Dominic Popolo / News Editor
Aviation Safety & The Expansion of AI
Theaviation industry has been on a consistent path of advancement since the Wright Brothers first took off from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903. What started as aircraft with simple gauges and wood frames developed into powerful turbojet engines and composite materials. While all this development sounds good, there is an underlying issue. How do we maintain safety and reduce risk?
The new and upcoming answer to this question is artificial intelligence. Now, I know you may be thinking, is this a good thing? Will it take over, or might it even increase risk? While all those questions are valid, airlines currently implementing its use have experienced no major issues. Artificial intelligence is assisting in real-time risk assessment during flights. It is also being used to run various analyses of flight data to identify trends and potential safety issues. Swiss Air International, Delta, and Alaska Airlines use this data analysis to create more efficient flight paths, predict challenging situations, and optimize flights.
Artificial intelligence is used to help passengers just like us to navigate the chaos and challenges faced at airports. United Airlines has utilized AI to alert customers of flight changes through email, text, and in-app notifications if downloaded. If you have flown recently, you may have noticed that the in-flight entertainment screens have gotten a significant upgrade and seem to know exactly what you want to watch. By using artificial intelligence, the in-flight system suggests movies and TV shows that suit your interest or relate closest to your watch history. One of the largest groups utilizing this function of AI is Delta.
While artificial intelligence is providing innovation in the aviation industry right now, it will be interesting to see how it develops and if it will begin to make a presence in the flight deck. Only time will tell, but I think it’s safe to say our pilots aren’t going anywhere.
DOMINIC POPOLO
Twotrips around the clock were made, and not a single minute was wasted. This year’s Rolex 24 featured nonstop action from start to finish and great weather to accompany the event.
The race began under the bright Florida sun at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25th, with the No. 24 BMW M Team RLL, driven by Dries Vanthoor, leading the 61-car field to green. With a relatively clean start, the BMW continued to lead over the No. 30 Cadillac through the first cycle of pit stops. This all came to an end when the leading BMW received a pit road penalty, moving the No. 24 from the lead to 10th in class.
IMSA has four classes: GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD. Each class runs a different type of car. GTP cars are prototype cars with Hybrid Powertrains developed by well-known manufacturers such as BMW, Cadillac,
and Porsche. LMP2 cars are also prototype cars developed by four FIAapproved constructors but are often slower than the GTP cars. There are also GTD Pro and GTD cars. These cars are designed and developed by factory teams and resemble cars you may see on the street. These four classes, running at very different speeds, lead to intense racing with lots of passing and crazy moves throughout a race.
Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing’s No. 40 surged to the lead around the 5-hour mark and continued to lead through hours six and seven, passing the two Porsche Penske Motorsport’s 963s, who had dominated most of the evening portion of the race. Then, disaster struck.
Louis Deletraz, who had taken the wheel of the No. 40 Cadillac after an impressive triple stint by Kobayashi, lost control while entering Turn 1. Deletraz skidded into the grass and then back on the track in front of
oncoming traffic. The No. 40 was hit by an LMP2 car, and several other GTD and GTD Pro cars piled into the wreck. With less than 16 hours remaining, seven of the 61 vehicles in the field had been eliminated, including two GTP cars.
As the weather cooled off during the night, dropping to a brisk 42 degrees, the Porsche Penske Motorsports 963 surged to the front once again. Two more GTP cars were eliminated from contention around the halfway point, with the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac slamming into the turn-four wall and the Proton Porsche 963 dropping out due to a suspension issue.
The Penske 963s led through the night and into the sunrise, dominating the middle point of the race. Class leaders at the 19-hour mark were the No. 7 Penske 963 for GTP, the AO Racing No. 99 in LMP2, the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW in GTD Pro, and the No.13 AWA Corvette in GTD.
Brandon Badraoui
SETTING THE PACE
The No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 led 307 laps at the 2025 Rolex 24, with drivers Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Laurens Vanthoor (BELOW). Between the No.7 and their sister car the No.6, PPM was able to lead 517 laps out of the 781.
Going into the race’s final hours, business started to pick up rapidly. There was controversy at the front of the GTD Pro category, where the No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports made contact while battling for the lead with the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW.
Up front in GTP, the battle tightened. A full-course yellow flew around the 23-hour mark, leading to the final pit cycle of the race. At this point in GTP, only four cars were on the lead lap, with the field still being controlled by the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports 963.
As the checkered flag of the Rolex 24 continued to get closer and closer, the on-track action got more intense. In LMP2, the AO Racing No. 99 and the No.88 AF Corse Racing cars were knocked out of contention with mechanical issues, allowing the Tower Motorsports No.8 to take the lead in the final hour. The battle in GTD Pro
was also intense, with the No. 65 Ford Multimatic Mustang and the No.4 Pratt Miller Corvette going back and for the lead in class.
All eyes were on GTP, though. With the race within its final 30 minutes, the No.6 and the No.7 Porsche Penske Motorsports 963s were trading the lead back and forth, with the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura in hot pursuit of the leaders.
The No.7 Porsche Penske Motorsports 963 prevailed in the end, winning the team’s 2nd Rolex 24 in a row. Class winners included the Tower Motorsports No.8 in LMP2, which was later disqualified after post-race inspection, the Ford Multimatic No.65 in GTD Pro, and the No.13 AWA Corvette in GTD.
This race, packed with intense battles and spectacular crashes, is why people watch endurance racing. This type of racing is often seen as the pinnacle of
motorsports, and the crowd showed up for it. Winning the Rolex 24 not only portrays prestige, but also shows who the true best racers in the world are.
KAMUI KOBAYASHI
Kobayashi (ABOVE), Driver of the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing, Cadilac V-Series.R who was able to pilot his machine past 9 cars in just 14-minutes.
Photo Credits : FIA
Brandon Badraoui
Brandon Badraoui
Brandon Badraoui
With a commanding performance, the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 secured the team’s second consecutive Rolex 24 victory. Drivers Nick Tandy, Laurens Vanthoor, and Felipe Nasr piloted the car past the Meyer Shank Racing Acura and their teammates in the No. 6 Porsche to claim the win. This victory was especially notable for driver Nick Tandy, who with this win has now won all four major 24hour endurance events, adding to his triumphs at Le-Mans, Nürburgring, and Spa-Francorchamps.
BRANDON BADRAOUI
BRANDON BADRAOUI
CAR STATS
Drama in LMP2 shaped the outcome of the race. Mechanical issues in the final two hours sidelined the leading No. 99 AO Racing and No. 04 Crowdstrike Racing by APR cars, allowing the No. 8 Tower Motorsports entry to take the victory. However, a post-race inspection revealed skid block violations, leading IMSA to revoke the win. As a result, United Autosports —featuring drivers Rasmus Lindh, James Allen, Paul Di Resta, and Daniel Goldburg—were officially declared class winners. VEHICLE TYPE
Oreca 07 Gibson LMP2
GK-428 V8
lb-ft | 555 N-m
Xtrac gearbox
InGTD Pro, the No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang delivered a thrilling performance, taking center stage in a dramatic late-race battle. With minutes remaining, the Mustang overtook the No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports to clinch a hard-fought victory. Driven by Frédéric Vervisch, Christopher Mies, and Dennis Olsen, the team secured Ford’s first IMSA class win since 2018, signaling a strong return to form for the manufacturer in endurance racing.
BRANDON BADRAOUI
In the GTD class, the No. 13 AWA Corvette Z06 GT3 claimed victory after a hard-fought battle with the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche in the final hours of the race. Drivers Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Lars Kern, and Martin Kirchhöfer delivered flawless performances under pressure, executing a perfect strategy to stay ahead. Their combined efforts ensured a dominant run for the Corvette, securing a well-earned class win and reinforcing AWA’s reputation as a top contender in IMSA competition.
CAR STATS
VEHICLE TYPE
Corvette Z06 GT3.R
Mid-engine DOHC Flat Plane V8
460 lb-ft | 620 N-m
5.5 L
2025
Cyber Rodeo 2025
kicked off the third annual Embry-Riddle Cyber Rodeo, presented by the Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems. The Rodeo is a part of the Aviation Cyber Initiative, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, Defense, and Transportation; MITRE, the FAA, and Embry-Riddle.
Two new sponsors, Airbus and CT Cubed Inc., joined the ranks this year. Last year, co-founder Dan Diessner hoped to expand the event tvo other universities in the area, and this year, both University of Central Florida and Daytona State College had student representatives.
This year, the two-day event started with a poster presentation, where students would present their research to peers and industry professionals. With the rapid development and increased usage of artificial intelligence, plus the growing number of foreign and domestic cyber threats, it’s becoming more necessary than ever to be proactive in cyber events. Students and industry professionals were encouraged to attend the Tech Talks, where experts in the field shared their insights.
Returning this year was the Capture-The-Flag (CTF) event, where students and industry professionals teamed up to conquer virtual and physical challenges.
While this year had some returning favorites, such as the baggage handling challenge and the airport tram challenge, new activities included reverse engineering artificial intelligence to defend CubeSat satellites and an air traffic control challenge. Also included was a Cessna 172 flight simulator, a DA-62, and a Beech King Air instrument panel, with flight instructors standing by to assist as needed.
Many hands-on stations were run by a team of students from Embry-Riddle’s Prescott campus, with others being run by event sponsors. With the conclusion of the CTF, prizes were given to the top-ranked student team, industry partner team, and the event’s MVP. These prizes included medals and an Ernie plushie, presented by Ernie the Eagle himself.
The goal of the Cyber Rodeo hasn’t changed: to promote an understanding of the complex cyber-systems that have a hand in aerospace and learn how to defend against cyber threats. This goal is not just for students and faculty specializing in cybersecurity but for everyone using the systems.
Students of all degrees and fields are encouraged to check out the event because, unlike what the title may make you think, it takes everyone to protect our systems. If you didn’t get the chance to come this year, be sure to check it out next year. Knowledge is power, after all. You’re more than likely to learn a thing or two.
WORDS: A. Akie Oleszewski / Staff
DESIGN: Kaden McVerry / Staff
Activities Fair For All
One of the most attractive qualities that drew us all to Embry-Riddle was not only the scenic campus but also the many clubs inhabiting the school. The Activities Fair is many first-year students’ favorite day of the semester as students from every background and interest group gather around the Connelly Quad and immerse themselves with like-minded peers (and differing minds, too).
Held on January 16th, the Activities Fair included over 200 student groups on campus! The Activities Fair not only served as a way to find friends with similar interests but also as a networking opportunity to grow leadership skills, foster personal growth among communities, and step out of your comfort zone.
One aviation club included UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Technology. Dylan Hardt spoke to The Avion about some tasks of their club, which include: “building meetings” to learn more about the fleets, “training meetings” to teach new skills like working on the aircraft and flying them, “Sim meetings” and “flight meetings.” Like the UAS Club, all clubs welcome a variety of majors to partake in all different areas of each club.
WORDS: Bailey Bruan / Senior Reporter
DESIGN: Kaden McVerry / Staff
Clubs around campus included sports teams like rugby, soccer, and volleyball. There were also many forms of Greek Life, academic clubs, motorsports clubs, and aviation clubs (DUH).
Barefoot Flying Club was a unique club, and we were lucky enough to interview them. The club takes “derelict” planes that have been rejected by society, strips them, and restores them to full-functioning certified glory. This club takes students through an outside program and allows them to solo, take flight instruction, and get tail endorsements.
It’s fascinating to learn about what students can think of when participating in clubs. Creative juices flow like fountains, and students can achieve so much more than just participation hours.
The Activities Fair is a testament to our ability as students to accomplish so many great things with our friends and peers. We can build lasting relationships through these student-led organizations while growing in our fields and interests. University is just like life; we are here for a fun time, not a long time, so get involved while you can and step out of your comfort zone!
THE AVION ASKS...
What are your goals for this semester?
Welcome back, Eagles! 2025 is officially here, and we’re excited to kick off another series of The Avion Asks! A new year often brings a sense of renewal—a chance to set fresh goals, embrace new challenges, and reflect on how far we’ve come. However, everyone takes the new year differently. For some, it’s just another day; for others, it’s a meaningful opportunity for reflection, growth, and fresh beginnings.
What would you say to your future self?
Whether it’s prioritizing health and wellness, exploring new places, soaring to new academic heights, or simply building better habits, everyone’s journey looks different. To celebrate this season of growth, we asked students across campus about their goals for the semester and what they’d say to their future selves.
No matter what the new year means to you, we hope you take time to enjoy the small moments, celebrate progress (big or small), and embrace new experiences. Whether you accomplish every resolution or simply try something new, every step forward is a win. Most importantly, we hope 2025 is a year where you become someone your younger self would be proud of.
Here’s to fresh starts, bold ambitions, and a year full of possibilities. Let’s make it a great one, Eagles!
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RACHAEL TRAN AND JILLIAN PREITE / Copy Editor DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSA, RACHAEL TRAN, DOMINIC
CLAIRE LESSIG
Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering
CORRENE BELLEM
I have two main goals for this semester. It’s to start my assignments earlier to avoid procrastination and falling behind and to maintain an overall better a sleep schedule. These are just two of the main goals I’d like to improve on since I have a horrible habit of waiting till the last minute to do things or not getting enough sleep and being exhausted during the week.
DARIEL GARCIA Senior, Aeronautical Science
My goal this semester is to build fight time and enjoy my last semester with my friends.
Something I would say to my future self is “Never forget all the
Sophomore, Aeronautical Science
As for my future self, something that I’d like to say is to congratulate them for making it to the end of the semester and that even if the outcome wasn’t what I was hoping for, to still be proud of myself for all of the countless hours and sleepless nights I had spent studying to make it there.
My goal for this semester is to get more involved on campus. Freshman year I focused a lot on my grades and getting my PPL, so this year I am going to focus on joining clubs, forming connections, and making a positive impact on campus! So far, I’ve gotten involved with Women in Aviation, which I adore and highly recommend! They have great opportunities for professional development and community service that I have really enjoyed
Something I would like to say to my future self is that I’m proud of her! I want her to remember all of the hard work that we put in and to not forget to make time to relax and take care of herself. Also, I would ask if Taylor Swift has dropped Reputation TV yet.
WEN WU Graduate, Masters of Science in Aerospace Enginerring
Senior
, Mechanical Engineering
Get good grades in class and try to survive the year. Try to get plans done photography wise and get the photography ideas done.
Main goal is to get classwork completed in time with good grades and graduate.
Don’t forget to take breaks and enjoy yourself in life. Don’t get too worked up and learn to do things for yourself as well.
Congratulations, you survived your aerospace engineering doctorate program! Very proud of how skilled in photography I have become and happy that you gained a lot more experience in life.
