Industry Leaders Delve Into Drone Regulation, Air Travel Safety, Terrorism and Future of Aviation Training

Jan. 21, 2014
Public Session held in Phoenix by NTSB Member on Safety Enhancements as Part of Embry-Riddle Prescott A³IR Conference

Experts in aviation recently presented research on everything from passenger trust in pilots based on ethnicity to unmanned vehicle privacy issues facing the U.S. as part of the first day of the two-day Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research (A³IR) Conference presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Campus.

Academic faculty from Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., and Worldwide locations, Purdue, Arizona State University as well as South Korean and Australia institutions joined aviation and aerospace leaders in Phoenix presenting research findings including:

  • Topping the National Transportation Safety Board’s 2014 Most Wanted List of safety issues released this week: Helicopter safety, fire safety, general aviation hazardous weather, and distractions in transportation (i.e. handhelds, mobile devices).
  • Most aviation accidents are caused by human factors.
  • Biggest opportunities up next for unmanned vehicles (a.k.a. drones) are emergency response, search & rescue, precision agriculture and automated technology for “dirty, dangerous, dull” jobs. While U.S. still struggles with regulation, countries such as Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Japan and even some African countries encourage and support unmanned advancements and usage.

There will be additional presentations on Unmanned Aircraft Systems including state and local legislation, privacy, security and threats as well as a free, open-to-the public FAA general session focusing on aviation safety Saturday, Jan. 18 at The Wigwam Golf and Spa Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield Park, Ariz. At the 2 p.m. general public FAA seminar, NTSB member Robert Sumwalt will address “Safety Culture Enhancements.”

More information is available online at commons.erau.edu/aircon. Follow on Twitter @A3IRCON.