David Toon

Title
Adjunct Faculty
Email
Department
Aeronautical Science Department
College
College of Aviation

Office Hours

M & W 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Areas of Expertise

Military Rotary Wing Flight Operations

David Toon is a retired U.S. Army Aviation Officer with 22 years of distinguished service. He holds two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College in New York and another in Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also earned dual master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle in Human Factors and Aeronautics with a specialization in Space Studies.

Before becoming faculty, Toon served as a Project Manager for Embry-Riddle’s NextGen program, where he collaborated on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracts aimed at improving communication systems within the National Airspace System (NAS).

Beyond his aviation career, Toon is an author and media contributor, having appeared on multiple podcasts and television programs discussing the search for technosignatures—evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth—within the field of astrobiology.

  • M.S. - Master of Science in Aeronautics: Space Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science: Operations Track, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Remote Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Commercial Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • AS 323: CRM for UAS
  • UNSY 323: CRM for UAS
  • UNSY 222: Uncrewed Aircraft Sys Security
  • AS 222: Uncrewed Aircraft Sys Security
Solar Suspicions - The Search for Technosignatures

Retired Army Aviation Officer (22 years) 

Project Manager - NextGen (4 years)