The Avion Issue 4 Spring 2023

Spring 2023 Issue 4

A Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

,

As we conclude the semester and academic year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable success we have achieved on personal, professional, and University-wide levels. Whether you are a seasoned scholar or a new student, I am truly grateful to have shared this enriching journey with you.

roughout the year, ’s dedicated sta and contributors have worked tirelessly, leading to new ideas, innovations, bonds, and excitingly, numerous accolades and awards. Notably, we received the Award from Student Engagement and Student Union, recognizing our organization’s strong relationships, innovative projects, and commitment to the student body.

Our Broadcast Project, launched in January, was an overwhelming success. In just our rst semester of this endeavor, we were humbled to receive numerous recognitions from partners in the journalism industry, and a national recognition from the Associated Collegiate Press, solidifying our position as leaders in the collegiate media landscape.

ese highlighted accomplishments serve as a testament to those who make possible. I extend my gratitude to our writers, photographers, designers, editors, marketing team members, administrative and logtistics sta , advisors, most importantly, our readers, and everyone in between. Together, we have propelled forward, as we celebrated 54 years of operation this April.

As we re ect on the past year, let us remember the importance of self-care and the value of preparing ourselves for future successes. Take time during the summer to rest, re ect, and rejuvenate.

While my journey as Editor-in-Chief comes to an end, I am con dent in the hands that will guide our organization into the future, and I am excited for another wonderful year. ank you for being part of ’s journey, and my own. Have a fantastic summer.

Sincerely,

Dylan J Kowlessar Editor-in-Chief,

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE

AVELO COMES TO DAYTONA

Unwrapping some exciting news on more destinations from Daytona International Airport.

KLYDE MORRIS: AVIATION’S ONLY ANT

A look back at a special piece of ERAU and The Avion history with cartoonist Wes Oleszewski.

U.K.’s RAF VISITS ERAU

The story of a close partnership between the United Kingdom and ERAU’s Detachment 157.

SUN ‘N FUN

Reliving the memories of an aviation enthusiast’s favorite event at Lakeland International Airport.

EAGLEPALOOZA

A recap of a newly executed event for Touch-NGo Productions with exclusive interviews.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH CHAT GPT

An OpEd on the utility, joys, and limitations of the generative artificial intelligence language model.

FRONT COVER

American rapper Desiigner takes the stage during EaglePalooza on March 26, 2023, presented by Touch-NGo Productions as part of Blue and Gold Week.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ABBEY SPENCER (@aviation abbey)

BAC K COVER

The F-35A Lightning II and P-51 Mustang fly past the gorgeous sunset during the heritage flight at Sun ‘n Fun on the evening of April 1, 2023.

PHOTOGRAPH BY COLIN DAILY (@planesofcarolina)

Meet Wes Oleszewski, the man behind Klyde Morris.

Flying Fancy at Boutique Air

ARTICLE BY SEAMUS HUNTER LYONS / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY SEAMUS HUNTER LYONS / Correspondent

DESIGN BY MIKYLA BERISH / Managing Editor

Dalton Laine is a friend of mine and is the base lead pilot in Baltimore for Boutique Airways. With low hiring minimums, beautiful PC-12 aircraft, and an extensive route network, I thought it would be beneficial to talk with Dalton about his experience with Boutique and learn more about what life is like flying for them.

The Avion (TA): What initially got you into aviation?

Dalton Laine (DL): I started in aviation in 2015 working for Mesa Airlines as a flight attendant. I had dropped out of college (don’t recommend!) and knew I loved aviation. My parents had been flight attendants for Pan Am, and I had flown around in my dad’s Cessna 150. I felt it was the best start, and for a 19 year old, it was great! In 2017, I became a flight attendant at United which allowed me to save some money and start working on my ratings.

TA: How/where did you complete flight training?

DL: I did my flight training out of a small flight school in Houston, Texas called “The Flight School.” It’s based at David Wayne Hooks airport, but I did a lot of my training out of Houston Executive. At the time I was working full time, and building about 5 hours a week. I ended up getting furloughed from United during COVID and that allowed me to really get to work. I got my commercial single and multi add-on during that time.

TA: What drew you to Boutique?

DL: Boutique at the time was part of United’s Aviate program. Since then, we have separated as we go more into the charter world, but I knew I wanted to fast track my way to being a United pilot, and Boutique has allowed me to get my hours fast and in a great environment.

TA: Did you enjoy the training program there?

DL: The training program at Boutique is tough. As the saying goes, “It’s like drinking from a fire hose.” I loved it, but I will say for someone that came from general aviation, it required a lot of studying. The systems on the Pilatus are amazing, but they require a lot of training. The best part about the training program is that we do our flight training in the actual aircraft. We don’t do simulators.

TA: How do you like flying the PC-12?

DL: The PC-12 is amazing!! I can keep a speed of 200 knots until a 5 mile final and slow to Ref speeds with a smooth landing. It’s so much fun to keep up with the big jets in a Bravo airspace environment and the controls come on and go, “That was cool.” because they don’t know the capabilities of the Pilatus.

TA: How does Boutique differ from other PC-12 operators such as Tradewind or PlaneSense?

DL: Tradewind and PlaneSense are great companies, but each are pretty unique with different models. Boutique does some charters, but we do Essential Air Service routes from Baltimore and Boston to Massena, New York, Dallas and Albuquerque to Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Portland to Pendleton, Oregon. These allow us to operate like an airline including arriving into gates at the terminal and using the two crew environment to build CRM. Personally, I fly into the B gates in Boston and use a gate all the same. It gives the airline feel even though we aren’t very big. From a passenger perspective, we operate like any other airline you would fly.

TA: How would you describe the culture at Boutique?

DL: The culture at Boutique is what I call a brother/sister environment. Everyone knows everyone, and we learn about what’s going on in each others’ lives. When people go on to a regional, we cheer them on. When a first officer upgrades to captain, we cheer them on. I hang out with my colleagues even outside of work because we are genuinely friends. When we are at work, we work as a team and put in the work where it is needed. I’ve checked in passengers when a Customer Service Agent was pulling a plane out of a hangar just to keep the flight on time. We do what it takes to keep the operation running.

TA: Do you have a favorite story from your time there?

DL: I think my favorite story was working with one of my favorite Captains. When you work with someone you know well, things fall in sync and work great. He and I had been dealing with low ceilings and visibility the whole trip, and coming into Baltimore it was a beautiful day. I told him I wanted to see how soft I could make the landing, and was able to touchdown really smoothly. He looked over at me and told me, “Can you put the nose wheel down?” Our station manager saw it and was laughing when we pulled into the gate. One of the passengers got off the plane stretching and said, “I didn’t even know we landed until we got to the gate.” That’s what I call a perfect landing.

TA: What are your future career plans?

DL: From here, I want to go to a regional and then to United. I thought about the cargo route, but several people have told me that I talk too much for Cargo. I’m in Aviate, so I hope to stay in the pathway that Aviate has.

TA: What advice do you have for individuals looking to get into the aviation industry?

DL: Come up with goals, and stick to them. . . . Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in a company that you want to work for, and ask for their advice. No matter if you’re a pilot, dispatcher, or want to do something in aviation operations, LinkedIn has contacts for you. Learn to brand yourself and you can be successful!

Dalton Laine poses with one of Boutique Air’s Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.

Embry-Riddle Presents Nathalie Quintero and Katherine Ghelarducci

As I am finishing this article, I reflect on my vision of what I intended it to be. I had imagined an article in which I would share the stories of two ERAU alumni, currently working at NASA and Boeing, and what it felt like working at such a big organization. Surely, this is a topic that many of the students, here at Riddle, would be interested in. Alas, as with almost anything in life, what I started doing was not at all what I ended up with.

Inspired by my conversations with Nathalie Quintero and Katherine Ghelarducci, this article turned into a philosophical essay about what space means to humanity, becoming a beautiful mess of disjoint information.

I can remember when I was in middle school I thought about the fact that if humanity were to suddenly go extinct, nothing would change on a cosmic scale. I would question whether the universe would even notice that humanity is gone. I would stare at the mirror and wonder whether the person looking back at me was the same as me. Did he have similar thoughts? Did he have any thoughts at all? Was he seeing the same as I? I would question why I was born. Why is it this very version of me that exists? Are there others of me?

Perhaps the age of twelve or thirteen is a bit early to have an existential crisis. But ever since then, when I look up at the night sky I sit there quietly staring at all the stars,

and all those questions would come back rushing in my head. And for some reason, I would continue staring and expect the answers to come at me from space.

Currently, space is inaccessible for most of us, and so we, the common folk, are left drooling over photos taken from space. We can only wonder what it might feel like to be up there seeing our planet from its entirety, and perhaps what it might feel like to step on the Moon.

Such an experience has to be profound; it has to evoke some philosophical thoughts as you see the world from a perspective known only to a few.

There are plenty of people out there who will support the idea that we probably don’t need to expend resources into exploring space, because we need to focus on life on Earth. Perhaps they are right. We don’t need to know anything about space in order to live on Earth. After all, people lived for thousands of years just fine not knowing almost anything about space at all, and animals seem to be managing just fine.

But perhaps humans do not explore space because we have to. Maybe, we have decided to venture out there because we are curious. Maybe we went there just because we couldn’t stand not knowing what was in space. It is in our nature to want to conquer the unknown.

Space exploration is an improbable

story of challenge and triumph. In under a decade, humans went from barely being able to get an object in orbit, to sending humans to the Moon. Which is, on its own, such an absurd destination. There is no obvious reason to want to go to the Moon, and though it seems somehow logical it feels natural for humanity to want to go to a place no one has ever gone before. Perhaps that is the only reason for undertaking such an unreasonable project. It is just our nature.

Perhaps that is why we want to return to the Moon, and then venture even further to other places known to none. This is what the Artemis program represents – our baffling desire to explore no matter how big the challenge, and no matter the cost. As humanity returns to the moon, it is likely that, much like in 1969, it will be marked as a significant and symbolic moment in history. With that, the Artemis program holds great social responsibility.

In a perfect world, such a moment will not have to be used for fighting for social equality, but alas our world is far from perfect.

YOSIF MLADENOV NOAH COOPERMAN / A. AKIE OLESZEWSKI /

Representation

We all have probably heard the quote “Representation matters.”

Understanding why it matters, however, is just as important, and that was the very first question I asked Nathalie in our conversation. On that topic, Ms. Quintero noted: “Representation matters because sometimes it’s difficult to see yourself represented in the [aerospace] field, specifically if you are a minority in the field.”

Having somebody who one can look up to, somebody one can relate to, somebody that can represent you, can have a great influence on one’s career. It shows you that what you want to achieve is, indeed, possible, and you should remain undeterred in following your dream. Representation shapes how people view themselves, and encourages underrepresented people to follow a career in the industry.

Ms. Ghelarducci is somebody who has faced issues that have plagued the engineering field for decades. While gender bias is not at all as common as it was 50 years ago, it is still very much present in the work field. She shared that during her career she experienced pushback due to her being a woman in engineering. “… even when I transferred to Kennedy [Space Center]

a lot of people when I came on thought I was a first-year, fresh out of college, and it took them a bit to realize I’ve been at NASA for almost 9 years when I started at Kennedy.”

While working at Marshall Space Flight Center, Katherine was the recipient of awards for the quality of work she did. However, after receiving her awards, she also received comments from a coworker who inferred that she received those awards because she is a woman. I want to believe that all the people who graduate from this institution would never criticize anyone in their field based on anything except their abilities.

Working at NASA and Boeing

During our conversations, both Nathalie and Katherine had a shared opinion on how their experience at university differs from working at their representative organizations. College will teach you the basics, or as Ms. Quintero put it – ‘an overview of all that might exist’, and when you start your work in your respective field, it is there that you will learn the intricacies of your [job]. That is why she advises students to go and do an internship to see where they might fit, and whether they actually like their profession, as there are so many different fields in engineering.

Both NASA and Boeing, being such large organizations, give the opportunity to explore and develop in different paths. As Katherine and Nathalie noted, when you join you can work on different projects and see what fits you. Furthermore, one thing became apparent during both interviews. As Katherine put it:

“One of the key things about when you go into the job field is you want to find a mentor right away. Somebody that you are comfortable talking to, somebody that is willing to answer questions, if you have any. Somebody that can help you move forward, if you want to pursue leadership

[positions] or anything like that.” As a Testing and Structural analysis engineer, Katherine was a part of a team that would test different components until failure. She was even on the team that was testing the structural qualifications of the tank on the first stage of the SLS rocket. When I asked her whether she enjoyed breaking stuff, she smiled and with laughter said “Oh yeah!”

From our conversations, it became apparent that both Nathalie and Katherine enjoy their work.

I Know What You Are Thinking

How do I get an internship or a job at NASA or Boeing or any other company for that matter?

I received the same tips from both Katherine and Nathalie. Send your resumes to the companies you want to work for. Search for open positions, and internships. Typically during the Career fair, recruiters will hand you their business cards. Reach out to them afterwards.

Ms. Nathalie Quintero Page

Ms. Katherine Ghelarducci

That’s A Wrap on Aviation Week

ARTICLE BY SALIM ROIG / Senior Reporter

PHOTOS BY EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY

DESIGN BY NOAH COOPERMAN / Staff Reporter

Here at Embry-Riddle, everyone here has one thing in common: we love aviation! In order to help show off just how much this campus loves airplanes, spacecrafts, and everything else related to the aerospace industry, the College of Aviation hosts their annual Aviation Week celebration each Spring.

As the name suggests, Aviation Week is an annual week-long eventful celebration of the aerospace industry full of special seminars with notable guests from the industry, fun aviation themed games such as Pull-A-Plane, and networking events so that every student here on campus could feel closer to the industry than they were the previous day.

For this year’s aviation week we had a plethora of different seminars and events. Starting on Monday, April 10, we had the CEO of Airbus Americas,

Jeff Knittel, to talk about the industry and where Airbus, along with the rest of the aerospace industry, is heading as technology changes with time.

On Tuesday, there was the Chalk Airplane Contest. In this contest, different students here at Riddle showed off their artistic skills as they drew all sorts of airplanes and aviation themed drawings on Legacy Walk using chalk. That day, we also had Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Dr. Jeff Phillips talk about how Human Factors help ensure that the aerospace industry is as magnificent as it is.

Wednesday saw the return of the fan-favorite event: Pull-A-Plane. For this year’s contest, we saw all sorts of different student groups compete against each other to see whom is the strongest on campus. Groups included

ERT, SESU, and various Greek Life organizations as they all showed off their impressive physical prowess.

Thursday saw an aviation themed trivia night to see which student here on campus isn’t just a fan of planes, but the greatest plane fanatic ERAU has. Finally on Friday, shuttles were driving students to DAB so that students could take part in the Central Florida Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Day. There, many students were able to talk with industry professionals, get their headshots done, and a few students even got to walk away with either an interview, internship or a job!

Based on all of this, it looked like this year’s Aviation Week was one for the books. With how much the industry grows every week, here’s hoping that next year’s celebration is even bigger than the last!

Embry-Riddle students and staff had the opportunity to learn about the experience of four working mothers and their experience juggling family and careers in aviation during the Aviation Week Pilot Moms Panel in the Q Hangar on April 12, 2023.

Aviation week was kicked off by a trivia and interview Q&A event with the CEO of Airbus Americas, Jeff Knittel, on April 10, 2023.

Embry-Riddle students and staff had the opportunity to learn about the experience of four working mothers and their experience juggling family and careers in aviation during the Aviation Week Pilot Moms Panel in the Q Hangar on April 12, 2023.

From Coast Guard to Commerical

ARTICLE BY SEAMUS HUNTER LYONS / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY SEAMUS HUNTER LYONS / Correspondent

DESIGN BY MIKYLA BERISH / Managing Editor

Nelson Brandt is a mentor of mine and has extensive experience in the aviation industry. He started with the coast guard and then World Atlantic flying the McDonnel Douglas MD-80. He now flies for Amerijet as a 757/767 first officer. Intrigued by his abundance of experience, I asked him some questions about his career in aviation.

The Avion (TA): What initially got you into aviation?

Nelson Brandt (NB): I grew up in Miami Beach, FL during the 1970s and 1980s. Almost every day, I watched planes flying along the shoreline. There was no question in my mind that I would one day be a pilot. But what really solidified it for me was when my parents and I took a scenic flight in a King Air 90 above the Grand Canyon. This was back in the early 1980s; I must have been about 12 or 13 years of age. It was before the Special Flight Rules under FAR Part 93 went into effect, severely restricting such flights.

Amazingly, my parents (and the King Air pilot) let me sit in the cockpit with the pilot as he flew us through the contours of the Grand Canyon; it was an unbelievable experience. Later that day, we went to Nellis Air Force Base and took a tour of the flightline. After that, I knew that I wanted to become a military pilot. Ultimately the events of the 1991 Gulf War influenced me to seek a career in the US Coast Guard as opposed to a DoD branch. The humanitarian mission of the USCG resonated with me much more than the more lethal mission of the DoD.

TA: How did you enjoy your time at Embry-Riddle?

NB: I had an absolute blast learning about aviation at ERAU. I was a graduate student at the Daytona Beach Campus from Aug 1992 – Dec 1993. We had some of the best professors and classes available anywhere. In fact, my peers and I were fortunate to be among the first students to take the newly created Advanced Rotorcraft Opera-

tions course. Our professor was an Army veteran AH-1 Cobra pilot. His real-world experience flying helicopters was invaluable. We even took a field trip to the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Convention. At that time, I already knew that I wanted to be a USCG helicopter pilot and within 5 years of taking that class, I would be.

The only flying I did while enrolled at ERAU was in gliders. I got my commercial glider add-on rating at Mid Florida Airport in Eustis (X55).

To my delight, the Collegiate Soaring Association had a glider on loan to ERAU. The single seat Schweitzer SGS 1-36 was based at Bob Lee Airport in DeLand. I don’t see it on the VFR sectional chart anymore, but it was in the general vicinity of Pierson Airport (2J8). I can’t overstress the importance of learning energy management and the best way to do that is to fly gliders. You never know when that skill might just save your life. Besides that, learning to fly gliders is a lot of fun.

TA: How/why/when did you decide to join the coast guard?

NB: As a kid, I remember seeing USCG helicopters flying along the South Florida shoreline. Occasionally, one would even fly right over my middle school, which was located near Opa Locka Airport in Miami (KOPF). No matter what I was doing, when I heard the USCG helicopter, I would stop and take a nice long look. It looked so cool; I knew that I wanted to do that one day.

TA: Do you have any stories that stand out to you from your time flying the Jayhawk?

NB: There are many, but the one which stands out at the moment occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. We were conducting rescues of people stranded amongst the flooded neighborhoods when a man in his mid40s attracted our attention. We hovered the H60 nearby and deployed two rescue swimmers to investigate the situation. They reported to us over the radio that the man was the sole caretaker of four elderly women who were physically incapable of evacuating. He was their lifeline and had kept them alive for several days since the storm devastated the region.

We arrived just in time, as they were critically short of food and water. The heat and humidity were stifling; there was no electrical power, thus no air conditioning. The H60 did an amazing job, making the rescue easy. It has an abundance of power available for maneuvering while hovering out of ground effect. We got all of them out of there and airlifted them to the New Orleans Airport. I’ll never forget the huge smile and big thumbs up he gave us as they disembarked. The overall USCG response to Hurricane Katrina was a watershed event for the service. As an organization, we “saved more than 33,500, including rescuing from peril 24,135 lives and evacuating 9,409 medical patients to safety.”

Hurricane Katrina forever changed how the Federal Government would respond to natural disasters. I was honored to play a small role in it.

After retiring from 20 years of USCG service, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I had a job offer to be an air rescue pilot for Miami Dade Fire Rescue when a former “shipmate” of mine from the USCG told me about a buddy he had at World Atlantic, a Part 121 supplemental passenger airline based in Miami. At the time, they operated a fleet of seven MD80 series aircraft. A lifelong fan of the “Mad Dog” I leapt at the opportunity to fly these iconic airplanes. But not wanting to go this alone, I persuaded another USCG “shipmate” to join me. He flew the HU25 Falcon, a derivative of the Dassault Falcon 200. But he had been out of the cockpit for over 10 years and needed to get current in a jet before he would be a competitive applicant for a major airline. I, on the other hand, hadn’t ever flown a jet before. So, I guess you could say that we were perfect simulator partners for each other.

Pilot Nelson Brandt taking a selfie after a flight

e United Kingdom’s University of Birmingham Air Squadron (UBAS), based at Royal Air Force (RAF) Cosford, Shropshire, in the UK, was founded in 1942. eir role was, according to Detachment Commander Tom Gallagher, “to recruit and attract ambitious and intelligent students into a career in the RAF as an RAF O cer.” Today, the program consists of less than one hundred students who learn valuable skills as well as specialized training through the program. Gallagher notes that “...we teach leadership and team building skills. We provide the opportunity to take part in numerous sports and adventurous training such as rock-climbing, skiing, and climbing, both in the UK and abroad.” ey also act as one of the only University Air Squadrons that o ers a ying program.

Conversely, the U.S. Air Force’s Detachment 157 was founded at Embry-Riddle in 1972, and has become one of the most impressive ROTC programs in the country. e program produces highly quali ed o cers and pilots that enter the U.S. Air Force (USAF) upon the commissioning they receive a er graduating ERAU. Among these two programs, a direct exchange between UBAS and the AFROTC at Daytona Beach has emerged within the past few years.

A statement provided by Lieutenant Colonel Hollingsworth explains that “ e UBAS / Det 157 exchange began in 2018 when one of the UBAS cadets, Sam Baker, reached out to us attempting to establish an exchange program with their closest US equivalent.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program took a pause in 2020 and 2021. “Cadet Ferreira-Da Silva reinvigorated the program in 2021 and was successful in setting up the second iteration in June 2022, when ve cadets and one active duty o cer traveled to the UK.” is semester, the exchange consisted of six UBAS students and was led by Flight Lieutenant Tom Gallagher, who assumed the role of Detachment Commander for the exchange. Gallagher currently serves as the Chief Flight Instructor for UBAS. However, before assuming his current role, he served as a

pilot for 20 years in the Royal Air Force; where he ew VC10s and the Boeing C-17, as well as operations alongside the USAF. Gallagher has been involved in numerous operational theaters, including Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Most recently, he took part in the 2021 evacuation from Kabul.

During the week while UBAS cadets were at Embry-Riddle, they had many opportunities to experience U.S. culture and AFROTC and ERAU life. UBAS visitor Harvey Ball notes that “ e USAF and AFROTC have a distinct culture that we have learnt a lot from, and likewise it was an honour to give them an insight into the UBAS way of life.” In the words of UBAS’ Dani Ashwell and many of the UBAS students, it was also “a jam packed week full of fun and endless learning opportunities.”

On Wednesday, March 22, the UBAS cadets integrated into the AFROTC unit during their Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training. During this training, they experienced several stations including base defense and radio communication. Here, cadets could operate in joint training exercises that simulated real-world operations. e ability to work e ectively with allies and NATO members is growing ever more important. Friday o ered a unique set of challenges where UBAS again integrated with the AFROTC cadets at the sandpits across campus. e morning consisted of Physical Training, where cadets incorporated sandbags into many of the exercises.

e UBAS cadets expressed their thoughts as they returned across the pond to the U.K. In the words of Flight Lieutenant Gallagher, “this exchange was an incredible opportunity for myself and my students to experience the intricacies of how the AFROTC programme

works and how it di ers to the UK UAS/RAF system. Whilst there are many similarities, there are also distinct di erences in the approach by each nation. Learning more about how Det 157 works has given us the opportunity to integrate some of their ideas into our own Squadron.” Many of the UBAS students shared a similar sentiment. Cadet Roy Siu notes he was “...tremendously grateful for the experience of learning from our cadet o cer counterparts across the pond, and for a week packed to the brim with interesting, informative, and fun activities.” As stated by Cadet Charlie Gamble, “throughout the week I was able to learn a lot about leadership and from the way they operate compared to UBAS. I thoroughly enjoyed every day, whether it was getting up at 5:30am for the dreaded sand pit or having a relaxing day out to Universal.”

Lieutenant Gallagher concluded that “Both myself and my students were hosted extremely well

throughout by the sta and cadets of Det 157 and we extend our deepest thanks to all those involved and look forward to hosting some of them in 2024.”

A er this exchange, plans are in motion to continue this unique program in 2024. e UBAS cadets will return the favor and will host the USAF ROTC cadets in the U.K., thus helping grow the special relationship between the two programs for years to come.

ERAU and Detachment 157 Alumni Return to Campus in KC-10

ARTICLE BY MADISON BURSTINER AND ABBEY SPENCER

PHOTOS BY COLIN DAILY AND ABBEY SPENCER

DESIGN BY JACOB RAINERSON / Staff Reporter

Embry-Riddle’s Detachment 157 is one of the nation’s top Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps Programs. ERAU’s Air Force Cadets are afforded some of the most select and unique opportunities in existence during their tenure as a cadet. This semester, this included a visit with the pilot and crew of the Air Force’s KC-10 aircraft.

At the end of February, First Lieutenant Nathan Amaral and crewmembers from Travis Air Force Base traveled to Daytona Beach for training. The training goal was to give the crew of the KC-10 tanker aircraft practice in an unfamiliar environment. Members of Det. 157 had the opportunity to observe these training flights.

As the tanker aircraft approached during sunset on February 27th, students stationed along the border of the flight line and on top of the parking garage and Aviation Maintenance Science (AMS) deck watched as the loud tanker soared by and circled to land. For First Lieutenant Nathan Amaral, an Embry-Riddle and Det. 157 alum, everything came full circle in that moment.

The Avion was given a chance to speak with Lieutenant Amaral and KC-10 crew member Garret Teegerstrom, a Technical Sergeant and flight engineer. In the lobby of their hotel, Amaral explained to us that he was a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet as a teenager and was drawn to ERAU by a recruiter at a CAP event. He explains that he was so enthralled by the Embry-Riddle culture that it was the only college he decided to apply to, and the only place he could see himself going. For someone who was a self-described “nerd” in high school with a passion for planes and aviation, ERAU was the perfect place to pursue a career in flight.

After enlisting in the Air Force, Teegerstrom also attended ERAU, as a Worldwide student. He explained that Worldwide was the perfect fit for him because he was able to continue flying full time for the Air Force, while having his real world experience reflected in his course load at ERAU.

Amaral’s career progressed quite quickly after leaving ERAU. He was commissioned into the Air Force after graduation, and two weeks later he arrived at Columbus Air Force base for Air Force pilot training. After finishing his pilot training and being stationed at Travis Air Force base, he explains that life moved quite fast. He is now married with a daughter. Teegerstrom agrees, noting that his life also progressed quickly after graduation.

When asked about their experience flying the Air Force’s KC-10, Amaral notes that flying a tanker is a uniquely thrilling opportunity because of the sheer number of operations he is able to partake in. As a tanker pilot, his skill set is required for mission success. He notes that “You’re involved in almost every major operation; without tankers you can’t implement anything. It gives you a very unique opportunity to not only travel but have a direct impact on multiple mission sets, multiple different airframes, multiple different tasks we can do everything from cargo to fighters, to moving them, to air medical evacuation too.”

Sadly, the KC-10’s days in the sky are nearing its end and will soon be replaced by the KC-46. According to Amaral,

the KC-46 is “a newer, significantly more reliable aircraft… it is a much more advanced aircraft, a much more modern aircraft.” Though the KC10 and it’s features will be missed by airmen and plane aficionados alike, the KC-46 will surely become just as beloved as its predecessor.

ERAU alum, First Lieutenant Amaral

ERAU Worldwide alum, Technical Sergeant & KC-10 Flight Engineer, Garret Teegerstrom

On March 16, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ew into KDAB with a B-24 Liberator, P-51 Mustang, T-6 Texan, T-34 Mentor, C-45 Expeditor, and a Stearman Biplane. e CAF is a non-pro t organization that maintains and ies WW2 era aircra as a way to teach people about WW2 history. e AirPower History Tour ran from March 17 through March 19.

The C-45 “B.O.B.” on static display at Yelvington Jet Aviation.

The P-51 “Gun ghter” making its way to the runway for a paid aircraft ride.

The T-6 Texan on static display at Yelvington Jet Aviation.

Erin Dillman sitting in the Stearman on display.

Rocky Smith, the ramp boss for CAF B-29/B-24 squadron, marshalled in the T-34 Mentor.

Nick Infantino, an AMS student at ERAU, closing the doors at the aft gun on the B-24.

On March 25, Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) hosted the Gator Fly-In and Armed Forces Appreciation. It was a combination of a car show and an air show with live music and food trucks. Aircra rides included a T-34B Mentor, Robinson R-44 Helicopter, and Cessna 172. Static display aircra included a C-130 Hercules, UH-60 Blackhawk, ShandsCair Helicopter, and Alachua County Sheri ’s O ce Helicopter.

Attendees could purchase a ticket to y in a Robinson R-44 helicopter for “Swamp Tours” over the University of Florida football stadium.

2 of the 3 T-6 Texans that ew over GNV for the ”Flown West” Ceremony honoring Col. Joe Kittinger.

Attendees were allowed to walk through the cargo bay and the cockpit of the C-130 Hercules that was on static display.

Included in the car show was a marina blue 1960s Chevrolet Caprice.

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) had a T-6 Texan on static display before they ew over GNV.

The University Air Center (UAC) was one of the hosts for this event. They are an FAA approved ight school located at KGNV.

The annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo took place from March 28 to April 2 at Lakeland Linder International Airport, and was an event to remember for all aviation and aerospace enthusiasts. Featuring dozens upon dozens of aircraft, and even highly sophisticated military aircraft such as the F-35, the 2023 expo showcased incredible innovation and aviation expertise.

Military aircraft had a huge presence at this year’s expo, allowing event goers an up close and personal look at some of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft systems. Not only could aviation enthusiasts take a tour of rare and unique aircraft, and even explore the cockpit of the Boeing C-17 aircraft, they could also enjoy watching the thrill and adventure of jaw dropping air shows.

Fan favorites, The U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron “The Blue Angels”, which formed in 1946 and is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, gave a breathtaking routine to close out the expo. Jetting past the star struck crowds, and kicking up dust and sand in their wake the Blue Angels gave another unforgettable performance.

Another fan favorite was the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant, and the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant. Both aircraft showed off some pretty intense advanced avionics, and made sure the crowd’s ears were left ringing by the end of their performance.

It was another successful year for Sun ‘n Fun, everyone’s favorite Florida airshow!

Mustang and F4U Corsair fly closely in formation.

The F-22 Raptor of the US Air Force Demonstration Team climbs with full afterburner during Sun ‘n Fun 2023.

The F-35A Lightning II and P-51 Mustang fly past the sunset during the heritage flight at Sun ‘n Fun 2023.

The F-35A of the US Air Force Demo team sits on the tarmac waiting to fly at Sun ‘n Fun 2023.

F-35A demo team pilot Kristin “Beo” Wolfe roars by the crowd at Sun ‘n Fun 2023 with full afterburners.

The US Navy Blue Angels fly by the crowd of Sun ‘n Fun on April 2, 2023.

The C-17 Globemaster III draws quite the crowd of aircraft enthusiasts at Sun ‘N’ Fun.

Blue Angels flyover with the C-5 Galaxy on the ground during Sun ‘n Fun 2023

Members of the Blue Angels’ Flight Team watching their birds take flight for a practice run.

A team of people pushing a variant of the Cessna A185F on floats.

A Douglas DC-3 sporting the Animal Rescue brand name on static display.

Flight Crew talking on the rear horizontal stabilizer of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

Blue Angels ‘Fat Albert’ performing a flyby overhead at Sun ‘n Fun 2023. Pilots of a T-6 Texan prepared to start the engine and join the airshow.

A Vought F4U Corsair from the VF-884 fighter squadron and P-51 Mustang “Quicksilver” flew side by side. Page 23

An acrobatic plane finishes its loop with smoke on as it flies past the spectators and Sun ‘n Fun 2023.

The USAF F-35A and U.S. Marines F-35B were on static display before their performances.

Air Force heritage flight from 3/30/23 featuring the F-22, F-35A and the P-51.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Sharing My Story

The article on the following page contains mentions of sexual assault and sexual harassment. If you are senstive to the mentioned topic(s), please proceed with caution.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, violence, harassment, or would like to seek further assistance or information, please use one of the following resources listed below.

On Campus and Local Resources

Title IX Coordinator & Office

386-226-6677

meyerspa@erau.edu

dbtitle9@erau.edu

Emergency Response Team

386-226-7233

Campus Safety & Security

386-226-6480

Campus Saftey & Security (emergency)

386-226-7233 (SAFE)

Health Services

386-226-7917

Counseling Center

386-226-6035

Dean of Students

386-226-6326

Daytona Beach Police (non-emergency)

386-671-5100

Halifax Medical Center Emergency Department

386-254-4100

Volusia Rape Crisis Center (386) 236-3123

Volusia Rape Crisis Center 24/7 Helpline

800-503-7621

National Resources

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-4673

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

800-656-4673

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

https://www.nsvrc.org/

1in6 https://1in6.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime

https://victimsofcrime.org/

Office for Center of Crime

https://ovc.ojp.gov/

SafeHorizon

1-800-621-4673

https://www.safehorizon.org/

Pandora’s Project

https://pandys.org/

Crisis Text Line

HOME to 741741

https://www.crisistextline.org/

On September 10th, 2022, I was sexually assaulted by a student from the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Campus. This day was the most devastating and horrific day of my life. At that moment, my body turned to stone, my heart fell to my feet, and my sense of self-worth was diminished. In honor of Sexual Assult Awareness Month [April], I am coming forward to share my story, and to advocate for change.

The fact is that sexual assault is real, and it happens more often than we presume. Commonly, eight out of ten students experience sexual harassment in school, that is 81% of students like me experience the real effects of sexual assault. Sexual assault can happen to anyone. Every year, 83% of girls, and 78% of boys, are sexually harassed. Inside of campus, and outside of campus, we have the capability to stand up and be the voice for anyone who has experienced sexual assault or harassment.

After being sexually assaulted I remember thinking to myself “Who am I going to tell?”, and moreover, “What am I going to do?” At that moment, I was in immense shock and fear that it was emotionally hard to act instantly because I thought that nothing like this could ever happen to me.

With the help of my friends, I was finally able to come forward to Title IX and share what had happened. It is hard for someone who has been assaulted or harassed to come forward by themselves. We are a community, and if you know someone who has experienced sexual assault, my advice is to comfort them and be empathetic. For their sake, be calm and understanding. Furthermore, help them take the right steps to make sure they receive the help they need. I went to Campus Safety, Title IX, our Counseling Center, and the Center for Faith and Spirituality.

To the victims and survivors, I want to tell you that you are strong. Living with the fact that you experienced sexual assault is not easy at all. With being strong, it is completely okay to have moments of weakness. There were many times when I cried my feelings out, but even tears can be a sign of strength. It is a brutal reality. It takes time to heal and that is okay. I also want to tell you that you are worthy, you are worthy of finding the light at the end of the tunnel, and you are worthy of receiving

the justice and peace you deserve. There are so many avenues of support here at Embry-Riddle, and outside of campus. Your feelings are valid, and together we will overcome this. To the bystanders, be there for someone who has experienced sexual assault, and be their source of comfort and care. Help speak up against sexual assault, and be aware of the devastating normalcy of this manner.

Campus Safety is a reliable source to ensure that your safety is important; they will help keep your distance from the abuser. Title IX will help you receive the justice and closure you deserve. I was nervous initially to speak to Title IX because I didn’t know what would happen going forward, but they were kind, comforting, reassuring, and understanding of my situation. The Counseling Center is a reliable avenue of release, and emotional guidance. After being assaulted, it was hard for me to navigate my emotions. It was hard for me to maintain my self-confidence; moreover, it was hard for me to feel an ounce of peace. Receiving counseling helped me process emotionally what happened to me, and practice coping mechanisms. Last but certainly not least, the Center for Faith and Spirituality is perfect for meditation and spiritual guidance. In this manner, my faith is what helped me see the light at the end of my tunnel.

The healing process takes time, and to this very day, I am still in the healing process. Some days are easier than others, I have my moments where emotionally it is still hard to face what happened but I know I am not alone. This month, the month of April, I encourage everyone to incorporate teal in their clothes, accessories, or everyday items. Teal symbolizes supporting survivors of sexual violence. Furthermore, the teal ribbon is a symbol of awareness and prevention. Advocate on social media against sexual assault by sharing #SAAM, to get more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month visit nsvcr.org/saam. I am sending love to survivors who aren’t ready to speak up, are mentally struggling, who have never told, are trying their best to heal, who have ever felt or been dismissed, and who are advocating for a change.

This is my story, but I am advocating for millions of others’ stories. There needs to be a change. Page 25

All Around the World

ARTICLE BY SALIM ROIG / Senior Reporter

PHOTOS BY ABBEY SPENCER / Public Relations Manager

DESIGN BY A. AKIE OLESZEWSKI / Staff Designer

As part of ERAU’s Blue and Gold Week, many of ERAU’s different culture-based Registered Student Organizations came together to create an “Around The World” Festival. The event was filled with various little snacks and foods from all over the world. The Korean Student Association sold packs of sushi for the student body to enjoy, the Caribbean Students’ Association was handing out delicious snacks such as plantain chips, and the Puerto Rican Student Association gave away nonalcoholic piña coladas. Even more options were offered throughout the festive event.

The event was a great way to interact with a bunch of the different cultures represented here on campus. When interviewed about their thoughts on the events, a few students stated, “Personally speaking, I love stuff like this, cause you sometimes forget how diverse the campus truly is.” Others note that they “love being able to meet people from all around the world. Stuff like this helps remind me why I love the aerospace industry and how people it unites.” One student explained that “It’s always nice as someone who is an international student to be reminded just how many people come to study at Riddle from around the world; it helps me feel seen.”

From these sentiments, one could tell that the event was a great way for ERAU’s wonderful diversity to be spotlighted. I hope that as time goes on, the school is willing to have more events like this one, because as someone who was raised in a different culture than the standard American culture, it is always nice to be reminded how here at ERAU we have students from all over the world.

The event was an interesting way to try out food from various other cultures, and is one of the events that I personally recommend you attend should it come back for next year’s Blue and Gold Week!

Students showing their international pride at Fall 2022’s Flag Parade, presented as part of International Education Week.

Highlights of Blue and Gold Week

Dog Days at Riddle

Pull-A-Plane

Dog Days at Riddle

Blue & Gold Photo Booth

Blue & Gold Photo Booth

EaglePalooza

PHOTOS BY COLIN DAILY, ANDREW HARKER, DYLAN KOWLESSAR, H. PRESTON LUNIEWSKI, ANDREW MAYOTT, SEAN McCLURE, FISCHER SCHLUESSLER AND ABBEY SPENCER

DESIGN BY A. AKIE OLESZEWSKI / Staff Designer

Hebocon

Blue & Gold Carnival

EaglePalooza

Pull-A-Plane

Dog Days at Riddle

Pull-A-Plane

Student Engagement & Student Union Presents: The Blue and Gold Week Carnival

ARTICLE BY SALIM ROIG / Senior Reporter

PHOTOS BY YOSIF MLADENOV AND ABBEY SPENCER DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Editor-in-Chief

Do you love giant slides, funnel cakes, and zero-gravity rides? If so, then the ERAU Carnival on March 26 was the go-to event for you. Held every Spring in the the COAS parking lot, the Carnival is a great way to relax and destress from classes for the shockingly low price of free.

This year we had a great selection of rides, such as The Pharaoh’s Fury, a giant boat ride that swings back and forth in the air, making you feel as if you are taking part in an intense high-sea adventure through the Nile. We also had a classic swing ride with you flying around in a circle, strapped to a plastic chair, chained to a roulette wheel. We also had a zerogravity Spin-A-Tron that made it feel like you were being thrown into a live tornado only to be spat back out.

Now, if high-intensity rides aren’t your thing, you were still okay, thanks to some fun little activities, such as the giant slide that allowed

you to see the entire campus from a bird’s eye view. Another memorable experience was the trampoline set, where you could jump as high as you wanted!

This event was a great way to unite the campus by hosting its minifestival that only ERAU students could remember fondly. One of the event attendees stated that it was “an amazing experience that helped me forget about my homework and just be a dumb kid again.” Another said the event “helped them remember what it’s like to be five years old and looking eagerly to the local county fair.”

Overall, the event was excellent and is one of the many reasons one can leave ERAU with plenty of funfilled memories. The Carnival was, as always, a great addition to Blue and Gold Week that is looked forward to by many every year.

NSBE Embry-Riddle Chapter Takes Flight: Cultivating Diversity and Excellence in Engineering

ARTICLE BY JESSIE ABINSAY / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS, EMBRY-RIDDLE CHAPTER

DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Editor-in-Chief

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has been actively pursuing its mission statement: “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.” As one of the largest student-run organizations in the United States, NSBE has been instrumental in improving the recruitment and retention of minority engineers in both academia and industry.

The NSBE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Chapter has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the mission statement for the 2022-2023 academic year, resulting in significant successes. The chapter has been preparing its members to succeed professionally, and the efforts have paid off immensely, with members attending and excelling in three different conferences.

At the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) conference held in Washington, D.C., in February, nine ERAU students attended, and six received offers. Furthermore, at the NSBE 49th Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, in March, around 30 NSBE members participated, with 21 of them receiving offers from top companies such as NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, Spirit AeroSystems, Northrop Grumman, Delta Air Lines, Raytheon Technologies (Collins Aerospace), among others. Additionally, the chapter registered 33 members for NSBE Region III’s first fully in-person Fall Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in October.

In addition to attending conferences, the NSBE Embry-Riddle Chapter has been actively engaging in volunteering events, collaborations, social outings, mentorship programs, and hands-on engineering projects. The members have also had the opportunity to interact with guest speakers from big companies and participate in alumni and faculty panels.

The College of Engineering Department has recently recognized the chapter for its outstanding commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and advocacy (IDEA). The chapter has been awarded the IDEA Award for its excellence!

Furthermore, the chapter’s members have shown exceptional talent and success in various competitions and scholarships. NSBE member Kesmir Barthelemy and ERAU’s RobotX Team Minion achieved a remarkable first place victory out of 20 teams from around the world at the 2022 Maritime RobotX Challenge, showcasing their impressive engineering skills and ingenuity.

Jemimah Davies, another talented NSBE member, attended the Leadership Summit for Black Leaders in Aerospace Scholarship and Training (BLAST) Scholars. She was honored with the BLAST Scholarship, recognizing her academic excellence and leadership.

The NSBE 49th Annual Convention saw the participation of several members from the Embry-Riddle Chapter, who attended the Boeing Flight Competition, showcasing their skills and creativity in the field of aviation engineering. The team SOAR Eagles, consisting of Jessie Abinsay, Brian Kibe, Olivia Munisi, and Brian Masabala, earned first place for Distance and Best Overall Award, adding another accolade to the chapter’s impressive list of accomplishments.

Overall, the NSBE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Chapter has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to its mission statement, providing opportunities for its members to excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. The chapter’s achievements serve as a testament to the effectiveness of NSBE’s efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering.

Divided By Water, United by Culture: The ERAU Caribbean Students’ Association

ARTICLE BY AGATHE EMERAN / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY ERAU CARIBBEAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Editor-in-Chief

Founded in 1988, the Caribbean Students’ Association (CSA) was one of the first black organizations to be founded on campus. After 35 years of being on campus, the CSA is proud to continue its founders’ legacy.

Many people may know CSA for Taste the Caribbean, better known as Jerk Wednesday, but the organization does more than that. Every Thursday, the organization has its general body meeting, allowing students from different cultures to come together and educate each other about different cultures, announce different scholarships and internships, taste different Caribbean foods, and play interactive games: dominoes, spades, trivia games, and many more. Members have described the organization as “a home away from home” and “their second family” because they can come together and feel a sense of home while studying at Embry-Riddle.

To aid in this and build a strong family, CSA aims to have get-togethers throughout each semester. Some ideas include organizing beach days with CSAs from different schools, hosting a Halloween party, participating in volunteer/community service activities,

attending the Florida Caribbean Students’ Association Annual Retreat and Leadership Conference, selecting a Miss ERAU CSA, and much more.

In the past year, the ERAU CSA has grown close bonds with the CSA organizations at Bethune-Cookman University, Stetson University, and the University of Central Florida due to being members of the Florida Caribbean Students’ Association (FCSA), which encompasses the various CSA organizations throughout Florida and other states. These newly formed bonds have helped many ERAU members meet their fellow peers with similar interests. These connections allowed for collaborations, such as organizing beach days with other schools. Collaborations are an excellent opportunity for the schools to spend a day together, have fun, and unwind from school.

At the FCSA Leadership Conference hosted in March by the University of South Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s CSA was named the School of the Year due to the organization’s stellar participation and involvement in activities

this year. These include attending the annual FCSA Retreat, hosted in November by Embry-Riddle, community service and social media challenges, and the various events hosted by ERAU CSA. In addition, Coral Scotland, who represented the island of Antigua and Barbuda, placed Second Runner Up in the Miss FCSA pageant. Two other members, GeQuan Thompson from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Angel Williamson from the Bahamas, were elected as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively, on the 2023-2024 FCSA Executive Board.

As the school year is nearing a close, we want to thank all our members for a memorable school year, and many thanks to the executive board members. Thank you to President Agathe Emeran, VicePresident Michael Dow Jr., Treasurer Aleemah Ghany, Secretary Steffan Nunes, Public Relations Officer Elisha Bruney, Event Coordinator Eriel Williams, Delegate Jahi Roberts, and our past Presidents Danielle Rosales and Felina Chotoo for all the hard work you have done for the organization!

CSA will always have its door open to anyone interested in joining and becoming a part of the famalay!

Rabbits at the Maverick Art Festival

ARTICLE BY PROFESSOR JESSICA WELCH / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY PROFESSOR JESSICA WELCH / Correspondent

DESIGN BY JACOB RAINERSON / Staff Reporter

This year, a fluffle of bunnies attracted a considerable crowd at the Maverick Art Festival. Volunteers from Fort Wilbur Rabbit Rescue (FWRR) brought the rabbits to campus to educate students and faculty about the joys (and challenges) of bunny ownership. Every year, FWRR participates in several events throughout the spring in an effort to dissuade parents from buying bunnies as Easter presents for their children.

Vanessa Hill of Ormond Beach founded Fort Wilbur about 10 years ago. The rescue was named after a rabbit who was scheduled to be euthanized by another shelter due to a severe heart condition. Instead, Ms. Hill adopted Wilbur and gave him many hoppy years. This experience inspired her to start a rescue for injured and abused rabbits that cannot receive adequate care in a typical animal shelter. FWRR is the only rescue of its kind in Florida and consists of a network of volunteers throughout Volusia County who are specifically trained to work with special needs bunnies. Many of their rabbits require physical therapy to recover from injuries and individual interaction with volunteers to overcome their fear of humans.

Dr. Jessica Welch, Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication, is an FWRR volunteer and coordinated the bunny visit. She also brought her rabbit, Houdini, whom she adopted from the rescue three years ago. Houdini was named by the volunteers that spent three days trying to catch him after he was dumped in a local park. As a severe abuse case, he required comprehensive rehabilitation available only at Fort Wilbur. Today

Houdini is happy and healthy, with allinclusive access to Dr. Welch’s condo in Daytona Beach Shores. He has developed a taste for fresh pineapple and an affinity for zooming through his tunnels at 3 a.m. Dr. Welch often shares stories and videos of Houdini in class. Many of her past and current students stopped by the Bunny Booth to meet him and get photos.

Rabbits are ideal for college students and young adults who lack sufficient space for a dog but are looking for an affectionate pet. They are full of personality, love snuggles, and are typically easy to litterbox train.

If you are interested in learning more about Fort Wilbur Rabbit Rescue, including opportunities to foster, adopt, or volunteer, you can check out their website (fortwilbur.org) or follow them on Instagram (@fortwilburbunnies). Anyone who wants to know more about Houdini’s journey can follow his personal Instagram (@houdini doodle).

alpha xi delta xi man / woman

Kindly Hearts United

Alpha Xi Delta is a national women’s fraternity, founded on April 17, 1893 at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois. As a philanthropic organization, they host various events and fundraisers to support their chosen philanthropy, the Kindly Hearts Initiative, an organization dedicated to ending the youth homelessness cycle. A year-long campaign intended to provide support and funds to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kindly Hearts Campaign pairs chapters with local organizations of their choice to promote a sense of community and unity. At the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus, the Alpha Xi Delta chapter has partnered with StandUp for Kids and Fosterclub.

A Celebration of Talent and Unity for a Cause

StandUp for Kids

The organization serves unaccompanied homeless and at-risk youth - and young parents with children of their own - up to their 25th birthday. Their ongoing mission is to end the cycle of youth homelessness. To do this, they have built four core programs in many cities where they

ARTICLE BY JASON GONG / Staff Designer

operate in volunteer teams: Street Outreach, Outreach Centers, Mentoring, and Housing. They are quite proud that their volunteer teams build trust and become a consistent resource to stablizie and help those youth that the rest of socity seems to ignore. These programs help establish trust, provide constant support, and stabilize the lives of homeless and at-risk youth.

PHOTOS BY THETA OMICRON CHAPTER - ALPHA XI DELTA DESIGN BY JASON GONG / Staff Designer

One of the annual events hosted by Alpha Xi Delta chapters across the United States is the “Xi Man / Woman” competition. This event is a talent show or pageant-style competition that brings together fraternity men and sorority women from the campus community to compete for the title of “Xi Man / Woman.” The competition typically consists of several rounds, such as talent performances, Q&A sessions, and themed costume or dress-up events.

A Night of Enchantment: Alpha Xi Delta’s Annual “Xi Man” Competition

CARRIAGE ARRIVAL: The enchanting evening commences with the “Carriage Arrival,” where contestants representing various fraternities/sororities on campus make a grand entrance and introduce themselves to the audience.

XI ROYAL BALL: Once the contestants have been introduced, the “Royal Ball” begins. This magical segment of the event is a dance competition that brings together fraternity and sorority members from across campus. The ballroom comes alive with a whirl of colors, music, and movement as participants showcase their dancing skills and dazzle the audience with their creative routines.

JESTER’S COURT: Following the dance competition, the contestants move on to the “Jester’s Court,” where they can demonstrate their talents. From singing and dancing to comedy and magic tricks, the contestants’ diverse skills entertain and impress the audience.

Once Upon Xi Time

Congratulations to Mallory Newell from Sigma Kappa (SK) and Mike Cavanaugh from Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) for winning the XI Man / Woman Competition. The event was a success and

enjoyed by all. Surpassing their goal, and with the help of the Greek life community, Alpha Xi Delta was able to raise over $25,000. These generous donations will be directed toward the Kindly Hearts Initiative.

EagleTHON Launches into Action

ARTICLE BY DANIELLE CASTILE AND HAIDEN S. FOX

PHOTOS BY JOHN “JACK” FRANKIE / Correspondent DESIGN BY MIKYLA BERISH / Managing Editor

On Feb. 25, Dance Marathon at ERAU hosted EagleTHON, a studentled movement focused on improving the lives of children and families affected by childhood injury and illness at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. The culmination of the year’s work is displayed to the community via a freeand-fun event open to all. This year, it was held on the New Residence Courtyard basketball court from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This year’s theme was “Launch Their Future.” The event was covered with outer space decorations featuring astronaut blowups and various activities and games. The event consisted of performances by the Dancing Eagles, Acafellas, and SPF 50. The DJ for the event was Dylan from WIKD! Every hour on the hour, a line dance was performed by all participants, with the Dance Team Captain, Sierra Burns, leading the dance. The dance was not only performed but choreographed by the Dancing Eagles!

The event closed with participants forming a Circle of Hope where Dance Marathon Executive Director, Danielle Castile, explained the significance of the hospital bands that attendees were given when they signed in and the significance of the movement we had made during our event and continue to make every year. During the Circle of Hope, everyone held hands as Scott Nicholson, Marathon Director, went around cutting off the bands.

The Circle of Hope is a staple at Dance Marathons around the country. The final event of the evening was the “Total Reveal.” This year the fundraising total was over $4000 for local kids at the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital!

In just four years of being a program on EmbryRiddle’s campus, Dance Marathon has raised about $50,000 for the hospital and plans to grow that number exponentially in the next few years!

Members of Dance Marathon at ERAU alongside event participants proudly displaying their fundraising total.

Participants playing cornhole during EagleTHON on Feb. 25.

Pi Kappa Alpha’s Garnet Girl

ARTICLE BY JASON GONG / Staff Designer

PHOTOS BY LAMBDA MU CHAPTER - PI KAPPA ALPHA

DESIGN BY JASON GONG / Staff Designer

Pi Kappa Alpha’s first annual Fireman’s Challenge is a competition between sororities on campus to raise money for their philanthropy, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Participants will include brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha, campus sororities, and students of Embry-Riddle. Each sorority will select a sister to be their chapter’s representative in the campaign for Pi Kappa Alpha’s Garnet Girl. Each contestant will have a coach who will be a brother from Pi Kappa Alpha and help them with their campaign. Each event will be part of a point system determining the winner. The contestant with the highest overall score at the end of the week will be crowned Pi Kappa Alpha’s Garnet Girl and the Fireman’s Challenge winner.

Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Their mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. Each year, the foundation sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during

the previous year. Thousands attend the weekend activities held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Weekend features special programs for families and co-workers and moving public ceremonies.

Nearly 100 participants from three sororities and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity engaged in many exhilarating events, including cornhole, tug-of-war, relay races, and the extraordinary feat of pulling a firetruck. The annual Field Day festivities brought together students in a spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition. However, the true purpose of the challenge was to raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).

This year, the fraternity collected over $4,500 in donations, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to supporting a noble cause. Amidst the laughter and excitement, Sigma Kappa emerged as the first-ever Fireman’s Field Day champion. Christina Kruse (Sigma Sigma Sigma)‘s exceptional performance earned her the title of Garnet Girl. The event will surely be remembered as a highlight of the year for all who participated, united by the common goal of giving back to the community.

Sigma Kappa

“Hi, my name is Jemma Amato and I was Sigma Kappa’s contestant for the Garnet Girl Competition. I grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and I am a sophomore in Aerospace Engineering here at EmbryRiddle. I decided to run for Garnet Girl because I feel like it is important for every organization in the Greek community to be connected. I wanted to try to help further Sigma Kappa’s relationship with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and I feel like I am already making a difference. I also am very invested in their philanthropic efforts to help out the fire departments. Growing up I always volunteered at fire houses and I was excited to continue that through the competition.”

Jenna Amato

Alpha Xi Delta

“Hey everyone! My name is Izzy and I was the representative from Alpha Xi Delta. I’m from Locust Grove, Georgia, and have grown up always wanting to help make a difference. I ran for Garnet Girl because I felt a personal connection to The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation as my grandfather was a firefighter. The immense respect and admiration I have for those who put their lives on the line every day is what makes me so proud to help raise money for this philanthropy. I want to support Pi Kappa Alpha because of everything the brothers have done for me and how they have changed my college experience. I want to be able to help give back to them and what they support. I want to help in every way possible.”

Izzy Taylor

Sigma Sigma Sigma

“Hi! I’m Christina Kruse and I represented Sigma Sigma Sigma in the Garnet Girl competition. I wanted to be the contestant because I want to support the amazing brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha and their philanthropy, The Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It is important to me to support not only Tri Sigma’s philanthropies through events like HFS, but other organization’s philanthropies on campus. It has always been a goal of mine to support causes that are important to me, and I have continued to do this through my collegiate and academic career. It has been a pleasure working with the men of Pi Kappa Alpha and my sorority sisters while fundraising. We were excited to compete in their first Garnet Girl competition and Fireman’s Challenge.”

Christina Kruse

We are graduate and undergraduate students in the Research in User eXperience (RUX) Lab in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology. RUX investigates the usability and user experience of technology in our everyday world. This is a regular column that explores different technologies typically used by Embry-Riddle students.

We Are the Missing Piece: Solving the Urban Air Mobility Puzzle

ARTICLE BY BRANDON DRESLIN, DARRIN KNAGGS, AND REID SANTIAGO PHOTOS BY AVIONICS INTERNATIONAL, SUPERNAL, AND WISK AERO DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Editor-in-Chief

The semester has drawn to a close. You breathe a sigh of relief when you finally finish your last final exam. To celebrate, you and a group of friends plan a trip to Disney this weekend. But when you check the traffic on Saturday morning, I-4 has come to a standstill. One of your friends suggests booking a flight on an urban air mobility vehicle. By flying in this vehicle from Daytona Beach to Disney, you will save gas, time, and frustration. In fact, the booking app estimates that it will only take 20 minutes to fly to Disney. You and your friends are sold - booking a flight is a no-brainer!

What is urban air mobility (UAM)? Essentially, UAM is marketed as ridesharing in the skies: instead of driving or taking an Uber to travel short distances, people will take UAM aircraft to their destination. The concept is a new and innovative mode of transportation that is under development to make it easier for people to get into and out of highly-populated urban areas. UAM aircraft use modern electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) platforms, meaning that aircraft will take off and land similarly to helicopters using a combination of electric motors and propellers. The introduction of a new vehicle platform to jumpstart the growth of the UAM industry signifies a shift in the transportation sector.

Urban Transportation Reimagined

Pioneers spearheading the development of eVTOL technology dream that UAM will revolutionize private transportation. The mission of UAM is to decrease traffic congestion in cities, reduce urban travel time, and offer an environmentally-conscious alternative.

eVTOL transportation would reduce emissions, both due to the lower number of cars on the road and the zero-emissions nature of the platform. One of the most appealing elements of UAM is its versatility. Aircraft that take off and land vertically do not require much space. Without the need for a runway or airport, UAM service could transport passengers in both rural and urban areas. Eventually, UAM companies want to make eVTOLs completely autonomous. Eliminating pilots would reduce costs, increase efficiency, and make the technology more accessible by removing the need for a specialized license.

The User Experience Puzzle

Think back to the scenario. Would you trust the aircraft’s autonomous technology to safely fly you from Daytona Beach to Disney? Are you comfortable flying with no pilots or flight attendants? What do you expect to be in the cabin? Where might you store your personal

Wisk UAM eVTOL Aircraft

belongings? How would you relax during your flight? How might you control cabin features such as lighting and temperature? What would happen if an argument or fight between passengers happened mid-flight?

Factors program capstone course) are working to understand these limitations and design around them to advocate for usthe end user. Design teams started the semester investigating the problem and gathering requirements by analyzing the UAM UX literature, creating journey maps (a way of visualizing a person’s experiences using the product or service), and generating personas (fictional characters who represent the various users that interact with the product or service). Once the requirements were established, each team designed solutions to the issues they found most impacted passenger trust, acceptance, comfort, inclusivity, and satisfaction. To validate their solutions, all teams are gathering user feedback through usability testing, interviews, and focus groups. The data they collect will help determine whether their solutions are viable in UAM design.

Some of these questions may appear easy to answer. However, several limitations will undoubtedly impact the user’s experience. Perhaps the most significant limitation is the public’s trust and acceptance of UAM as a concept. Passengers may not trust an aircraft without pilots to fly them in between buildings and above highly-populated cities. Additionally, they may not be willing to take the initiative to solve conflicts or emergencies during a fully autonomous flight.

Research into UAM passenger perceptions indicates that trust and safety are two of the most important factors that impact people’s acceptance of UAM as a concept and their physical comfort onboard. Yet current research cannot answer whether people actually will accept and trust that UAM vehicles are safe simply because no one is flying on them yet!

Another limitation is weight. Like helicopters, UAM vehicles have a fixed weight limit to ensure proper flight characteristics. Thus, UAM companies are focused on minimizing weight inside the cabin to fit more passengers onboard per flight. From a business perspective, this decision makes sense: more people per flight equals more profit. But from the design standpoint, this decision means that every item inside the cabin - from the seats and lights all the way down to the exact number of storage containers - must be scrutinized. Some may think, “Just get rid of what people don’t want!” But that is the problem: what exactly do users want? More importantly, what do users need?

Fitting the Pieces Together

These limitations highlight the need for user experience (UX) research. Students in HF 400 (the undergraduate Human

One Piece is Still Missing

The UAM industry is currently experiencing an awkward stage of growth. Companies have already assembled most of the puzzle through the development of their technology, infrastructure, and aircraft. But a crucial piece is still missing because not much is known about how passengers actually feel about their experience inside an eVTOL aircraft. We are the missing piece. We are the connectors that fit perfectly in the last empty spot. And once we are able to see how our overall transportation experience is impacted by UAM - for better or for worse - the puzzle will be complete.

Supernal UAM Interior Cabin Concept

Solving the UAM Puzzle

ARTICLES COMPILED BY ALISON SMALLING / ERAU Athletics Director of Sports Information

PHOTOS BY ERAU ATHLETICS, MAGGIE ALLEN, MARGARET DOTSON, KYRIN MAYFIELD, TAVANA MERCADO, AND KAREN THORNBURGH

DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Editor-in-Chief

e Embry-Riddle women’s tennis team, ranked No. 39 in NCAA II, proved their worth by defeating the 13thranked Florida Southern team 4-3 in a Sunshine State Conference match. Both teams have identical conference records and are waiting to hear about their seedings in the upcoming SSC tournament.

e Eagles took an early lead in doubles play, with victories from Jessica Christa Wira Hadipoernomo and Kaylee Kirivong, as well as Sabrina Ehrenfort and Carla Cabero del Hierro. In singles matches, the Eagles secured wins from Alessia Tripaldelli, Sabrina Ehrenfort, and Itxaso Blanco, ultimately clinching the victory. e SSC Tournament will take place at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

No. 6 Embry-Riddle women’s rowing concluded the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships with top-6 placements in Varsity Four and Varsity Eight in April. All races were held on Melton Hill Lake.

e Varsity Four boat of Alexis Mathis (coxswain), Alexandria Fife-Winslow, Helena Schmidt, Aria Moses, and Briella Goldenberg nished in the same spot in the

the semi nals as the Eagles placed sixth in a race won by Florida Tech (7:33.945).

Embry-Riddle was seconds away from taking home a medal in Varsity Eight, but the Eagles did record their bestever nish in an Eight boat at the SIRA Championships.

Megan Byrne (coxswain), Shelby Ernst, Kendra Sander, Soleil Edwards, So a Lorenzini, Elise Dezotell, Alexandra Weilert, Veronika Zdrazil, and Kristen Vigna powered the shell to a fourth-place result of 7:09.666, just ve seconds away from Dayton in third but faster than Sunshine State Conference foes No. 8 Rollins (7:20.282) and No. 7 Barry (7:26.924). Kansas State posted a 7:00.236 to take the trophy.

A Final as they did in Saturday’s time trial. A time of 8:14.179 was a 29-second improvement over their time in

e Eagles had a slight edge over the Flyers halfway through the 2,000-meter course, but Dayton charged hard at the end to take third and almost overtook Jacksonville for second. ERAU’s time in the nal was 22 seconds quicker than its semi nal mark.

For the second consecutive year, the Embry-Riddle men’s rowing team captured the Varsity Four title at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in April at Melton Hill Lake.

From start to nish, Chase Nilsson (coxswain), Vaclav Kuncak, Igor Martinovic, Joshua ornburgh, and Blake Paynter were neck and neck with Texas. Out of the gate, the Longhorns maintained a slight edge over the Eagles, but as the race went on, Embry-Riddle slowly inched ahead and eventually won by just 11 hundredths of a second with a time of 6:47.248. ERAU also bested boats from Florida, Baylor, Virginia, and Northwestern State in the nal.

It’s the third medal of the season for the Four boat a er Embry-Riddle won a pair of silvers at the FIRA Championships. Page 45

Flight Certifications

SPRING 2023

Congratulations to those who received their certification!

Joshua Peyton Rosen

Junho Oh

Kameron Michael Peterson

Kang Lee

Landyn Allen Cool

Lee Dimitri Eugene Southworth

Lucy Marie Schaffer

Martin James Hejnar

Mateo Aury Franqui

Muhammad Ejaaz Cadinouche

Nicholas Michael Klar

Peter Alexander Duda Jr

Phillip Joseph Nacoste II

Rachel Ann Keisling

Rebecca Lin Nordstrom

Rishabh Bharat Parmar

PRIVATE PILOT (121)

Abdel Rahman Emad Zaki Mansour

Brendan Scott Johnson

Brian F Zhou

Chris Andres Bogran Mejia

Derrick Chavarria Fuentes

Dohyeon Kim

Emily Elizabeth Medina

Hyunyee Lee

Iram Rai

Justin Mathew Smith

Ryan William Parker

Sultan Abdulaziz A Altaifi

Younghwan Park

INSTRUMENT RATING (221)

Alison Taylor Sweeney

Amani Matthew Toney

Andrew Joseph Musto

Andrew Lee Dyer

Andrew Richard Donahue

Angelo John Abello Virata

Ashton Thomas Listzwan

Brayden Alexander Stocks

Brooke Nicole Rohweder

Cameron Douglas Counts

Caroline Anne Kane

Collin Jackson Maynard

Dylan Scott Gieker

Elias Swecker Beardsley

Emma Kathleen Adam

Ethan Richard McDonald

Frank Daniele Weihenig

Jason Bradley Weldon

Jinho Woo

John Alan Maconald

Jonghyeon Cho

Joseph Cecilio Vega

Joseph Michael Jordan

Ryan Charles Alevizatos

Ryan Kyle Poulter

Ryan Steven Mau

Ryan William Lutwin

Samantha Elizabeth Childs

Samantha Louise Muller

Sean Michael Cardello

Seongbin Hong

Seung Hoon Han

Seungjae Hong

Shijie Zhong

Simon Austin Brown

Theodore Michael Race

Thomas Martinic IV

Tide Hyden Solomon

Troy Vincent Gleason

Tyler James Ranagan

Victor George Gilroy III

Wallace Elliott Piland IV

William Griffin Schaffer

William Lowell Schuessler

William Samuel Hislop

Zachary Austin Ware

Zachary Shawn Misiaszek

COMMERCIAL PILOT

SINGLE-ENGINE (321)

Clementine Justena Craft

Eliyomar Medina Soto

Ethan Junghyun William Hellofs

Hayden Michael Ritchhart

Ho Yong Lee

Jacob Alan Sparks

James Francis Getz III

Jameson Connor Persechino Brooks

Jonah Sung-Lai Chiu

Joseph Ryan Halleran

Joshua Lovett Herring

Julian Phillip Thomas

Jun Yong Lee

Jung Woo Lee

Junhyeong Choi

Junyong Baik

Justin John Lazaga Caramancion

Justin Paul Krentz

Kylie Elizabeth Lagimoniere

Kyutae Bae

Larry Robert Craig

Lin Shi

Luke Maximus Koschnick

Luke William Barreire

Lylith Palmer Turner

Mason Tyler Sereda

Matheus Mariano Vianello

Matthew Abraham Fromowitz

Michael Joseph Phelps

Mohammad Tarek A Khayat

Mohammed Khalid M Alqahtani

Nathaniel Deron West

Nicholas Alexander Ausburn

Omar Abdulelah Karkadan

Patrick Thomas Conroy

Preston George Carroll

Ryan Christopher Adams

Ryan Gray Koprowski

Sangwhan Kim

Sean Patrick Canada

Sebastian Calderon Ortiz

Seong Won Choi

Seungwon Park

Shunsuke Hyodo

Sung Hyun Park

Sung Jin Han

Sung Jun Cho

Tae-Hyung Roh

Taeyun Yoo

Timothy Richard Falt

Trevor Lee Dube

Tyler David Schutz

Tyler James Davis

Vipul Kamath Telang

Rajan Khanna / The Avion

FROM THE PAST: Taken from the cockpit of a Boeing 747 as part of EAA’s AirVenture’s 50th Anniversary in 2019.

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