Kevin A Adkins
- Title
- Associate Professor
- Kevin.Adkins@erau.edu Email
- Department
- Aeronautical Science Department
- College
- College of Aviation
Areas of Expertise
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
UAS applications
Atmospheric boundary layer meteorology
Urban boundary layer meteorology
Micrometeorology
Urban Air Mobility/Advanced Air Mobility
Aircraft flight test
Aerodynamics
Turbulence

External Links
The views expressed on faculty and external web pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Biography
Dr. Kevin A. Adkins holds bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering, along with advanced coursework in physics and atmospheric science. He is presently an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and teaches aerodynamics, aircraft performance, and topics in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) within the College of Aviation. Professor Adkins’ research interests include UAS and their applications, using UAS and numerical methods to analyze near-surface (ABL/UBL) meteorology, micrometeorology, advanced air mobility (AAM), and UAS flight test. Dr. Adkins is the Director of the Unmanned Vehicle and Atmospheric Investigation Lab (UNVAIL) at Embry-Riddle. Prior to coming to Embry-Riddle, Kevin served as an officer and pilot in the USAF and spent over a decade in engineering industry, working as both an aircraft system design and lead flight test engineer. Dr. Adkins holds numerous professional memberships and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Education
- Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering: Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University
- M.Eng. - Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Engineering: Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ratings and Certificates
Currently Teaching
- AS 309: Aerodynamics
- MSA 534: Application of Unmanned System
- AS 495BB: Concepts in Adv Air Mobility
- AS 499: Special Topics in Aero Science
Courses Taught
AS-309: Aerodynamics
AS-310: Aircraft Performance
AS-399: UAS for Atmospheric Investigation
EGR-101: Introduction to Engineering
EGR-115: Computing for Engineers
AS-120: Introduction to Aeronautical Science
AS-121: Private Pilot Operations
AS-220: Unmanned Aerial Systems
AS-235: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry
AS-315: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Robotics
AS-390: Applications of Unmanned Systems Technology
AS-399: Unmanned Aircraft System Data Collection and Analysis
AS-499: Unmanned Aircraft System LiDAR Operations
MSA 534: Applications of Unmanned Systems (graduate-level)
MSA 599: Operational Application of UAS for Research (graduate-level)
WX-201: Survey of Meteorology
WX-261: Applied Climatology
SP-110: Introduction to Space Flight
SP-200: Planetary & Space Exploration
Other Institutions
- Physics I for Engineers
- Physics I and II
- Conceptual Physics
Publications
- Hyper-Local Weather Predictions with the Enhanced General Urban Area Microclimate Predictions Tool Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2023)
- Hyper-Local Weather Predictions with the Enhanced General Urban Area Microclimate Predictions Tool Publications (2023)
- Fusing Satellite and Drone Data with GIS to Create New Analytical Decision Support Tools for Varying Farm Types Faculty Research Projects (2022)
- GUMP: General Urban Area Microclimate Predictions Tool Faculty Research Projects (2022)
- The use of Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors and Their Future use with Unmanned Aircrafts Student Research Symposium (SRS) (2022)
- Kevin A. Adkins ERAU Open Education Week Images (2022)
- Low-cost Particulate Matter Sensors and Their Future Use with Unmanned Vehicles Student Research Symposium (SRS) (2021)
- Exploring the impact of early exposure to research on dual enrollment students: A qualitative single-case study Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2021)
- Exploring the Impact of Early Exposure to Research on Dual Enrollment Students: A Qualitative Single-Case Study Publications (2021)
- Real-Time Urban Weather Observations for Urban Air Mobility Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- Real Time Data Downlink Device for Live Telemetry from Instrumented Vehicles Student Research Symposium (SRS) (2020)
- Low-cost Sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: an Advancement in Air Quality Measurement Student Research Symposium (SRS) (2020)
- 2020 PIEoneer Award Winner Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- Observational Practices for Urban Microclimates Using Meteorologically Instrumented Unmanned Aircraft Systems Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- Concurrent Sessions: Session 7B - UAS - Operational Applications National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2020)
- Development of a sensor suite for atmospheric boundary layer measurement with a small multirotor unmanned aerial system Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- High-Resolution In Situ Measurement of an Urban Boundary Layer Using Instrumented Unmanned Aerial Systems Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Remote Sensing and Data Collection: Aerospace Education and Service Learning Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Remote Sensing and Data Collection: Aerospace Education and Service Learning Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2020)
- Development of a sensor suite for atmospheric boundary layer measurement with a small multirotor unmanned aerial system International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace (2020)
- Real-Time Urban Weather Observations for Urban Air Mobility International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace (2020)
- Nocturnal Observations of Thermodynamic and Kinematic Properties in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- Large eddy simulation study of the humidity variation in the shadow of a large wind farm Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- Farmers Facing Destructive Weather Events Have a New Tool Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- Development of a Meteorological Sensor Suite for Atmospheric Boundary Layer Measurement Using a Small Multirotor Unmanned Aerial System Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- Development of a Telemetry System for a Meteorologically Instrumented Small Unmanned Aerial System Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- Urban flow and small unmanned aerial system operations in the built environment Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- Urban flow and small unmanned aerial system operations in the built environment International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace (2019)
- UAS FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN COMPLEX TERRAIN: Assessing the Agricultural Impact from Hurricane Maria in the Central Mountainous Region of Puerto Rico Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2019)
- UAS Flight Operations in Complex Terrain: Assessing the Agricultural Impact from Hurricane Maria in the Central Mountainous Region of Puerto Rico Publications (2019)
- The Next Step Beyond Identifying Field Variability: On-Farm Investigations Using an Unmanned Aerial System to Accurately Diagnose Crop Disease Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2018)
- Development, Testing and Use of an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System to Investigate Changes to the Near-Surface Meteorology within a Wind Farm Kevin A. Adkins, PhD (2017)
User Publications
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Compere, M., Adkins, K., and Muthu Krishna, A. (2022). An Open Source Framework for Visualizing Atmospheric Observations Using Multiple Drone-Based Platforms, Environ. Sci.: Atmos. (in review)
Macchiarella, N.D., and Adkins, K. (2022). Remotely Sensing with Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Supporting Archaeology and Preserving Cultural Heritage, Proceedings of the Jornada Research Institute Tularosa Conference.
Adkins, K. and Sescu, A. (2022). Wind farms and humidity, Energies, 15(7):2603. doi.org/10.3390/en15072603.
Adkins, K., Bowyer, S., and Albelo, J. A (2022). A Qualitative Single-Case Study Exploring the Impact of a Mentor and Cohort on Students’ Academic and Career Decisions, Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching, 5(1). doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2022.5.1.2.
Akbas, M., Adkins, K., and Compere, M. Real-Time Urban Observations for Aviation, Proceedings of the 2021 AIAA Aviation Forum, 2021. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-2359.
Adkins, K., Albelo, J., and Bowyer, S., Exploring the Impact of Early Exposure to Research on Dual Enrollment Students: A Qualitative Single-Case Study, Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching, 2021, 4(1). doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2021.4.1.2.
Adkins, K., Akbas, M., and Compere, M., Real-Time Urban Weather Observations for Urban Air Mobility, International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 2020, 7(4). doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2020.1540.
Adkins, K., Wambolt, P., Sescu, A., Swinford, C., and Macchiarella, N., Observational Practices for Urban Microclimates Using Meteorologically Instrumented Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Atmosphere, 2020, 11, 1008. doi.org/10.3390/atmos11091008.
Adkins, K., Swinford, C., Wambolt, P., and Bease, G., Development of a Sensor Suite for Atmospheric Boundary Layer Measurement with a Small Multirotor Unmanned Aerial System, International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 7(1), 2020. doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2020.1433.
Macchiarella, D., Adkins, K., and Wallace, R., Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Remote Sensing and Data Collection: Aerospace Education and Service Learning. Proceedings of the 2020 AIAA SciTech Forum, 2020. doi.org/10.2514/6.2020-1771.
Haywood, J., Sescu, A. and Adkins, K., Large-Eddy Simulation Study of the Humidity Variation in the Shadow of a Large Wind Farm in Stable Conditions, Wind Energy, 2019. doi:10.1002/we.2434.
Compere, M., Adkins, K., Legon, O., and Currier, P., MoVE: A Mobility Virtual Environment for Testing Multi-Vehicle Scenarios, Proceedings of the 2019 NDIA Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium, 2019. (Best Paper Award)
Adkins, K., Urban Flow and Small Unmanned Aerial System Operations in the Built Environment, International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, vol. 6.1, 2019. doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2019.1312.
Adkins, K. and Sescu, A., Analysis of Near-Surface Relative Humidity in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System and Large-Eddy Simulation, Wind Energy, 2018, 21:1155-1168. doi.org/10.1002/we.2220.
Adkins, K., Bailey, C., and Taylor, A., Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems into the Crop Production System through On-Farm Research, Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 10, no. 7, 2018. doi:10.5539/jas.v10n7p10.
Adkins, K., Bailey, C., and Taylor, A., The Next Step Beyond Identifying Field Variability: Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems Into the Farm Management Workflow, Proceedings of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Xponential 2018, AUVSI, Denver, CO, 2018.
Adkins, K. and Sescu, A., Observations of Relative Humidity in the Near-Wake of a Wind Turbine using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System, International Journal of Green Energy, vol. 14, pp. 845-860, 2017. doi:10.1080/15435075.2017.1334661.
Adkins, K., Olds, J., and Ellis, C., Development, Testing and Use of an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System to Investigate Changes to the Near-Surface Meteorology within a Wind Farm, Proceedings of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Xponential 2017, AUVSI, Dallas, TX, 2017.
Adkins, K., Quantifying the Aerodynamic Forces on Objects During a Vault, SOARce: The Society of Accident Reconstructionists, SOARce, 2007.
- Textbook
Adkins, K., “The Elements” in Mirot, A.J. (ed), Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Safety. Orlando FL: Unmanned Safety Institute (ARGUS International), ch. 7, pp. 135-156, March 2017. ISBN-10: 0998729515; ISBN-13: 978-0998729510.
- Online Training Courses
Online sUAS Safety Certification Course for commercial operators, Unit 8: UAS and the Elements. Unmanned Safety Institute (ARGUS International). www.unmannedsafetyinstitute.org. 2017.
- Doctoral Dissertation
Adkins, K., Analysis of Near-Surface Relative Humidity in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and Large-Eddy Simulation (LES), Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. Aero. Eng., Mississippi State Univ., Starkville, MS, 2017.
PRESENTATIONS
Macchiarella, D., and Adkins, K. (2022). Application of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Cultural Heritage Preservation and Archeology, Jornada Research Institute (JRI), Tularosa, NM. (invited 2-day workshop presenter)
Schroeder, R., James, C., Adkins, K., Cortright, B., and Elston, J. (2022). Fine-scale Monsoonal Boundary Layer Observations in Northern Arizona’s Complex Terrain Using Crewed and Uncrewed Aerial Systems, 20th Conference on Mountain Meteorology, American Meteorological Society, Park City, UT. (peer-reviewed presentation at international conference)
Macchiarella, N.D., and Adkins, K. (2022). Remotely Sensing with Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Supporting Archaeology and Preserving Cultural Heritage, Jornada Research Institute Tularosa Conference, Ruidoso, NM. (peer-reviewed presentation at national conference)
Bowles, J., Compere, M., Adkins, K., and El-Sayed, M. (2022). Developing a Novel Sensor Technology for Measuring Particulate Matter on Unmanned Aircrafts, Air Sensors International Conference, University of California Davis, Pasadena, CA.
Adkins, K. (2022). Using Drones for Aerial Measurements, invited lecture, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK. (invited guest lecturer)
Bowyer, S., Adkins, K., and Albelo, J. (2022). A Qualitative Single-Case Study Exploring the Impact of a Mentor and Cohort on Students’ Academic and Career Decisions, ConnectUR Annual Conference, Washington, DC. (submitted for presentation in June 2022)
Cortright, B., Schroeder, R., Adkins, K., James, C., Kaplan, M., Koch, S., [and 11 others]. (2021). Detection of Convective Initiation and Suppression in Northern Arizona’s Complex Terrain with Uncrewed and Crewed Aerial Systems, Fall Meeting, AGU, New Orleans, LA. (peer-reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K. (2021). Are We Clear for Launch: Preparations for the Coming of Advanced Air Mobility, DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase, Deland, FL. (invited presenter, November 2021)
Adkins, K. (2021). Weather Alert: Tech Needs for AAM and UAS, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (BACE), discussion panelist, Las Vegas, NV. (invited presenter)
Bowles, J., Compere, M., Adkins, K., and El-Sayed, M. (2021). Multi-dimensional Characterization of Particulate Matter Low-cost Sensors in Florida, 39th Annual American Association for Aerosol Research Conference, Urban Aerosols Working Group, Albuquerque, New Mexico. (peer-reviewed presentation at national conference)
Adkins, K., Akbus, I., and Compere, M. (2021). Real-Time Urban Observations for Aviation, AIAA Aviation 2021, Washington D.C. (peer-reviewed presentation at national conference)
Macchiarella, D., and Adkins, K. (2021). Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Cultural Heritage Preservation and Archeology, Jornada Research Institute (JRI), Tularosa, NM. (invited 2-day workshop presenter)
Adkins, K., Compere, M., and Krishnan, A., “MoVE: A Mobility Virtual Environment for Planning, Rehearsing, Collecting and Visualizing Atmospheric Observations Using Multiple Mobile Sensors,” 21st Symposium on Meteorological Observation and Instrumentation, American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting 2021, New Orleans, LA. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., Albelo, J., and Harrison, S., “Exploring the Impact of Early Exposure to Research on Dual Enrollment Students,” STEMinar 2020. (peer reviewed presentation at national conference)
Adkins, K., Sescu, A., Wambolt, P., Swinford, C., and Rentzke, N., “High-Resolution In Situ Measurement of an Urban Boundary Layer Using Instrumented Unmanned Aerial Systems,” 15th Symposium on the Urban Environment, American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting 2020, Boston, MA. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Macchiarella, D., Adkins, K., and Wallace, R., “Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Remote Sensing and Data Collection: Aerospace Education and Service Learning,” American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech, Orlando, FL, 2020. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., Rebensky, S., Plotnikov, M., and Vance, S., "Concurrent Sessions: Session 7B - UAS - Operational Applications," National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS), Daytona Beach, FL, 2020. (session lead)
Adkins, K., Sescu, A., Swinford, C., and Rentzke, N., “Nocturnal Observations of Thermodynamic and Kinematic Properties in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System,” Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 2019. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Compere, M., Adkins, K., Legon, O., and Currier, P., "MoVE: A Mobility Virtual Environment for Testing Multi-Vehicle Scenarios," 2019 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium, Warren, MI, August, 2019. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., Swinford, C., and Wambolt, P., “Development of a Meteorological Sensor Suite for Atmospheric Boundary Layer Measurement Using a Small Multirotor Unmanned Aerial System,” International Society for Atmospheric Research using Remotely-piloted Aircraft World Congress, Lugo, Spain, 2019. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K. and Wambolt, P., “UAS Flight Operations in Complex Terrain: Assessing the Agricultural Impact from Hurricane Maria in the Central Mountainous Region of Puerto Rico and Developing New Data Science Tools,” Xponential 2019, AUVSI, Chicago, IL, 2019. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Haywood, J., Sescu, A., and Adkins, K., “Humidity Variation in the Shadow of a Large Wind Farm: an LES Investigation,” Division of Fluid Dynamics, APS, Atlanta, GA, 2018. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., Bailey, C., and Taylor, A., “The Next Step Beyond Identifying Field Variability: On-Farm Investigations Using an Unmanned Aerial System to Accurately Diagnose Crop Disease,” Xponential 2018, AUVSI, Denver, CO, 2018. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., “Application of UAS for Environmental Sustainability,” anchor lecture for multiday Informatics Days event hosted by the School for Environment & Sustainability at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 2017. (invited guest lecture)
Adkins, K., Olds, J., and Ellis, C., “Development, Testing and Use of an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System to Investigate Changes to the Near-Surface Meteorology within a Wind Farm,” Xponential 2017, AUVSI, Dallas, TX, 2017. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., “Observations of Near-Surface Relative Humidity in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System,” Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 2016. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., and Elfajri, O., “Analysis of Near-Surface Relative Humidity in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System and Large-Eddy Simulation,” Division of Fluid Dynamics, APS, Portland, OR, 2016. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Adkins, K., “UAS: An Overview and Case For,” Civil Air Patrol: Florida Field Leadership Exercise (FLeX), March 2016. (invited guest lecture)
Adkins, K., “Effect of Derating and Shutting Down of Turbines on the Extracted Power of Large Wind Farms in Thermally-Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layer,” Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 2015. (peer reviewed presentation at international conference)
Faculty mentored student presentations:
*Andres, M., Compere, M., Adkins, K., and El-Sayed, M. (faculty advisor). (2021). Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors and Their Future Use with Unmanned Vehicles, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student Research Symposium, Daytona Beach, FL.
*Bowles, J., *Krishnan, A. M., Compere, M. El-Sayed, M., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2021). New Air Quality Measurement Method: Low-Cost Sensors on UAV’s, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Discovery Day, Daytona Beach, FL. (undergraduate student project runner-up)
*Bowles, J., *Krishnan, A. M., Compere, M. El-Sayed, M., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2021). The New Air Quality Measurement Method: Low-Cost Sensors on UAV’s, National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Asheville, NC.
*Bowles, J., *Krishnan, A. M., Compere, M. El-Sayed, M., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2021). The New Air Quality Measurement Method: Low-Cost Sensors on UAV’s, Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, FL.
*Bowles, J., *Krishnan, A. M., Compere, M. El-Sayed, M., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2020). Low-cost Sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: an Advancement in Air Quality Measurement, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student Research Symposium, Daytona Beach, FL. (undergraduate student project runner-up)
*Krishnan, A. M., Adkins, K., and Compere, M. (graduate faculty advisor). (2020). Real Time Data Downlink Device for Live Telemetry from Instrumented Vehicles, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student Research Symposium, Daytona Beach, FL. (graduate student project winner)
*Swinford, C., *Oreo, A., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2020). Development of a Three-Dimensional Wind Measurement Sensor Hosted on a Small Unmanned Aerial System, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Discovery Day, Daytona Beach, FL.
*Swinford, C., *Rentzke, N., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2020). Nocturnal Observations of Thermodynamic and Kinematic Properties in a Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer Using an Instrumented Unmanned Aerial System, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Discovery Day, Daytona Beach, FL.
*Caputo, A., *Oreo, A., *Alterizio, V., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2020). Development of a Meteorologically Instrumented Small Transition Unmanned Aerial System For Urban Boundary Layer Investigations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Discovery Day, Daytona Beach, FL.
*Swinford, C., *Oreo, A., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2019). Development of a Three-Dimensional Wind Measurement Solution Hosted on a Small Unmanned Aerial System, Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Jacksonville, FL.
*Oreo, A., *Swinford, C., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2019). Development of a Telemetry System for a Meteorologically Instrumented Small Unmanned Aerial System, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Discovery Day, Daytona Beach, FL.
*Swinford, C., *Oreo, A., and Adkins, K. (faculty advisor). (2019). Development of a Three-Dimensional Wind Measurement Solution Hosted on a Small Unmanned Aerial System, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Discovery Day, Daytona Beach, FL.
*Swinford, C., and *Oreo, A. (2019). Development of a Meteorologically-Instrumented Small Unmanned Aerial System, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Industry Expo Reception, Daytona Beach, FL.
Professional Experience
Subject Matter Expert & Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) Safety Instructor. 2015-Present.
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI). Orlando, FL.
- USI subject matter expert (SME) in aerodynamics and meteorology
Senior Aero/Thermo Flight Test Engineer. 2008-2011.
Chief Aircraft Performance Flight Test Engineer for the S-76D. 2009-2011.
Sikorsky Aircraft. West Palm Beach, FL.
Flight Test Engineer. 2008.
Piper Aircraft. Vero Beach, FL.
Aircraft Systems Engineer and Technical Group Manager. 2000-2007.
Smiths Aerospace/GE Aviation. Grand Rapids, MI.
Engineering Consultant Co-Op. 1996-1997.
CADSi. Consulting Services Department.
Memberships and Credentials
ISARRA: International Society for Atmospheric Research using Remotely piloted Aircraft
RAeS: Royal Aeronautical Society, Elected Fellow
AMS: American Meteorological Society
AIAA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Senior Member
APS: American Physical Society
AGU: American Geophysical Union, Associate Member
AIP: American Institute of Physics
AUVSI: Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International
NBAA: National Business Aviation Association
FPAW: Friends and Partners in Aviation Weather
CAP: Civil Air Patrol
EAA: Experimental Aircraft Association
AOPA: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
CUR: Council on Undergraduate Research
National Board Member: American Meteorological Society (AMS) Board on Education and Outreach, 2019-2025.
NASA Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Ecosystem Working Group member
NASA ATM-X Project Participant
NBAA Weather Subcommittee member
ASTM International F38 Committee Member on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Awards, Honors and Recognitions
Current Grants:
Principal investigator. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). $500,000.
• Fusing Satellite and Drone Data with GIS to Create New Analytical Decision Support Tools for Varying Farm Types
Principal Investigator. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SBIR with Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) and AvMet, Inc.
• GUMP: General Urban Area Microclimate Predictions Tool
- Development of algorithms that can predict safe fly zones for sUASs in cityscape and rural environments. Algorithms use historical and live weather data and results from offline CFD simulations.
Co-Principal Investigator. Northrop Grumman and Brevard County Zoo.
• Development of a concept of operations and remote sensors for nearshore sea turtle and right whale tracking
Co-Principal Investigator. Florida Sea Grant.
• Green Infrastructure Prioritization and Conditions Assessment for Climate Change Adaptation
Co-Principal Investigator. FIRST.
• LADME: Low-Altitude Drone Monsoon Experiment
Co-Principal Investigator. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Using stationary and mobile low-cost sensors on UAS to assess air quality
ERAU Principal investigator. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) SBIR with Improving Aviation, Inc.
• Nowcasting wildfire ember risk in the WUI with WindT
Co-principal investigator. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SBIR with Improving Aviation, Inc.
• Portable Traffic Management Tool.
Miscellaneous:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Aeronautical Science Department Outstanding Performance Award. 2022.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s College of Aviation Researcher of the Year. 2020.
Elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. 2019. Elected for having made outstanding contributions over a long period of service in the profession of aeronautics.
Winner (team), The PIEoneer Awards 2020, Real Life Learning Award category. Showcasing excellent work in international education, Kosovo, 2019.
Abas Sivjee Outstanding Research Award. 2021 finalist.
Best Paper Award: National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) 2019 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium.
Summer 2019 Significant Research Award. ERAU College of Aviation.
Distinguished Teaching Award: Honoring Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring. St. Lucie County ERAU Aerospace Institute student nominated. 2018.
Inaugural Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Gaetz Aerospace Faculty Member of the Year Award. 2016.
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) Top Performing Faculty Member Award. 2016.
Embry-Riddle Parent Advisory Council Faculty Honoree for Significant Service to Students. 2022.
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI):
- SME: Aerodynamics and Meteorology
- Small UAS Safety I & II Certificate
- Small UAS Safety Instructor Credential
- Small UAS System Training
- VSO Ground, VSO Flight
- Advanced Safety I & II
- Advanced Unmanned Systems Operations (AUSO) Ground & Flight
- Professional Remote Operator I & II
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with small Unmanned Aircraft Systems rating (Part 107 Remote Pilot)
FAA Private Pilot Certificate
FAA Advanced Ground Instructor
UAS Night Operations Training Course. Rupprecht Law. 2017.
High Altitude Physiology Training Program. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 2019.