Our annual Alumni reunion will take place on November 6, 2010. Please contact Lee Mills at millsdo@gmail.com or 256-476-2184 for more details.

Below is Dr. Joe Hanna’s response to the recent article:

AU Response to Opelika Auburn News report that flight school’s future is ‘up in the air’

On August 22, the Opelika Auburn News ran an item on AU’s Flight School by a columnist containing serious factual errors. On Thursday, the News followed up with a story that, although the headline inaccurately described the school as ‘grounded,’ got the facts right. The reporter then did a follow up story Friday that is grossly misleading.

First and foremost, the nationally accredited AU Flight School is fully operating, is not in danger and its future is not ‘up in the air.’ We graduated several proud, newly certified pilots just a couple of weeks ago.

The “Student Pilot’s Guide” of the FAA handbook states: “There are two types of flight schools catering to primary general aviation needs. One is normally referred to as a certificated part 141 school and the other as a part 61 school. The numbers are based on the Federal Aviation Regulations on which they operate.  On of the major differences that Part 141 allows the school to issue pilot certificates, while Part 61 requires an external Designated Pilot Examiner to do so.

The newspaper continues to point to an FAA quote that “AU surrendered its certificate.” Yes, we temporarily surrendered the Part 141 Air Agency Certificate, but we continue as a fully accredited Part 61 Flight School. We turned the 141 certificate in because regulations don’t allow Part 141 schools to be without a Chief Flight Instructor for more than 60 days. Our Chief Flight Instructor resigned in June, and over the summer a national search took more than 60 days. Now, the search is nearly complete, and we anticipate operating again under BOTH Flight School designations soon, as we have in the past.

Both types of flight schools are academically rigorous, and many excellent ones, such as Auburn’s and Purdue’s, operate as Part 61 schools.  As the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association says in its “how to choose a flight school” article, “When it comes to the FAA checkride, which is the same for all, it doesn’t matter which program the student studies…but how well they fly and their understanding of aviation academic material.” The Association also stresses that most important is to select an accredited training institution, as they must meet rigid standards of accountability for every area of operation. Auburn’s aviation degree programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International.

For the Opelika/Auburn News to unnecessarily alarm students, parents and our own campus community and cast a shadow over a reputable, accredited school, and then refuse to correct misleading headlines and information, is irresponsible at best.

Joe Hanna, Ph.D.
Department Head and Professor
Department of Aviation and Supply Chain Management
Auburn University

This years reunion will once again be held prior to the Homecoming game. Auburn’s opponent this year is Chattanooga.

As always, attending the reunion itself is FREE. However, if you need football tickets and wish to sit in our block, you must order those tickets from us.

Ticket Information:

Contact Lee Mills at 256-476-2184 or email him at millsdo(at)gmail.com.

We’ve tried to make it easy for you this year…we will be using EventBrite to help us out. If you plan to attend simply visit the following link and sign up:

http://2010AMreunion.eventbrite.com/

Lt. Col. Herbert E. Carter, right, a Tuskegee Airman, and his wife, Mildred, left, one of the first black women to earn a pilot's license, were honored by the Tuskegee National Alumni Association on Thursday, July 29. Pictured in back is TNAA president Kimberly Woodard.

The kick-off to the 14th Biennial Convention for the Tuskegee National Alumni Association offered a rare treat for many who came from across the country to revisit their alma mater.

Following a tour of the city, more than 50 TNAA convention attendees explored the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field before meeting with two local legends – Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Herbert E. Carter and his wife, Mildred Carter, one of the first black women to obtain a pilot’s license.

The Carters sat in a classroom in Hangar No. 2 at Moton Field before an excited group of alumni. TNAA members, celebrating the organization’s 125th year, hung on the words of the two historic figures as the couple teased each other like they were courting again. Though, their courtship was unlike any other, the Carters told the crowd.

The two flirted in the sky above Lake Martin, Lt. Col. Carter in his military plane and Mildred in her Piper Cub. On August 28 the couple will have been married 60 years.

“I’m not ashamed I made a good wing man,” Lt. Col. Carter said.

Mildred, who’s been suffering with her health of late, looked radiant at the event and was full of quick comebacks for her husband. When he joked about their courtship in the skies saying he’d call her over the radio, she reminded him the Piper Cub was unequipped with such a device.

During the event, TNAA members honored the Carters and asked questions of the couple. Lt. Col. Carter, always a teacher, was happy to entertain anything that came his way, even discussing “Red Tails,”  the Tuskegee Airmen movie being produced by Star Wars director George Lucas.

“When that comes out, you will see a real movie about the Tuskegee Airmen,” he said.

Lt. Col. Carter said his confidence in the project comes from two trips to Lucas Ranch to view footage and give input on the story.

TNAA president Kimberly Woodard, a 1994 Tuskegee University graduate and the youngest to serve as head of the association, said the event with the Carters was a product of thinking “outside the box.” She designed much of the TNAA convention in this mindset, wishing to give alumni a new-millennium experience they could appreciate.

After the Carters finished fielding questions, the entire room moved to shake their hands and ask for autographs. They were repeatedly thanked and returned the sentiment.

“When you’re out here for your 135th anniversary, I want to meet you here,” Lt. Col. Carter said. “Because I will still be here.”

Attending the reunion is free, however, if you need football tickets you will need to purchase those from us. Click “Read More” to learn more.

In his role, Andy will work closely with the RTCA President in developing and
executing strategies to ensure RTCA’s continued effectiveness as the premier
venue for tackling the tough air transportation system implementation issues
facing the global aviation community. He will assume a leadership role in
outreach to the stakeholder community and oversight of key policy committees
and workgroups.

Andy brings a wealth of experience in aviation policy, safety, air traffic control, security and business development. He is a recognized leader in the industry with a wide network of associates and colleagues at all levels and across a wide spectrum of the community. This broad network along with his experience on advisory committees positions Andy to be an effective facilitator of consensus recommendations that are so critical to RTCA’s success.

Andy is leaving his position as Director of Aviation Affairs at Sensis Corporation.
“Joining RTCA is an honor and a great opportunity to be involved in addressing the important issuesshaping the aviation industry now and in the future,” said Andy. “For me, aviation is not just my career, but is my avocation and RTCA is vital to the success of this industry I love.”

Auburn University professors Tony Overfelt in the mechanical engineering department and James Barbaree in the biological sciences department will study the ability of microorganisms to survive in cabin air and on surfaces.

Past outbreaks of SARS and H1N1 have generated concern about the spread of diseases during air travel. Meanwhile, some travelers believe they often catch colds when they fly, and such ideas “need to be thoroughly investigated,” according to Overfelt.

Overfelt is executive director of the Airliner Cabin Environment Research Center under the FAA’s National Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Research in the Intermodal Transport Environment. The Airliner Cabin Environment Research Center will administer the project. Auburn will integrate research findings with the Harvard School of Public Health, Purdue University and Kansas State University.

Pre-flighting The Airplane

Every major at Auburn University can prepare someone for a successful and rewarding career, but only one can teach someone to fly the Goodyear blimp.

The professional flight management degree prepares students for careers in every variety of flight.

“With the professional flight management degree, students can come to Auburn to obtain a 4-year accredited business degree and also learn how to fly,” said Joe Hanna, aviation and supply chain management department chairman and professor. “Upon graduation, students typically have their private, instrument, commercial and multi-engine pilot licenses.”

Unfortunately for students hoping to release their inner Maverick, Goose or Iceman as soon as possible, the professional flight management program begins on the ground.

“You know how physics has a lecture and a lab associated with it? Well it’s the same sort of idea with flight,” said Dale Watson, director of aviation education.

All aspiring pilots begin their education in ground school, where the fundamental concepts of flight are taught. Upon mastering the basics of ground school, students can expect to fly up to three or four times a week.

“From the very first lesson you have the controls in your hands while the instructors are there to guide you,” Watson said. “It’s a very hands-on start.”

Watson said the program for the first level of pilot certification, private pilot, is designed to take two semesters, but most students receive their certification in a semester and a half. After receiving their initial certification, professional flight management students pursue certifications in instrument reading (so they can fly in less than optimal conditions), commercial flight, multi-engine flight and flight instruction.

The professional flight courses are open to all majors. There are no prerequisites for the courses, except for ground school.

“Students in many different majors either pursue a minor in professional flight or simply take a couple of our courses and learn how to fly,” Hanna said. “Many of these students simply want to get their private pilot license or obtain an instrument rating so they can fly as a hobby.”

Watson said a background in flight is “a big distinction” on a résumé.

“It’s no small deal,” Watson said. “(A background in flight) shows a clearly demonstrated ability to learn to do a very complicated thing and succeed at it.”

Watson said students in any major will benefit from flight education as there are pilot jobs available throughout society. “From a business standpoint, flying smaller aircraft from smaller airfields offers time savings and efficiency that is not available through commercial air travel,” Watson said. “You can visit more business contacts in less time in more places and still be home at night with your family.”

Of course, the majority of students who receive flight education from Auburn will enter the professional piloting world.

“Upon graduation, students of the professional flight management program have the capability to become pilots for regional commercial airlines, fly for freight carriers, or pursue a career in business aviation,” Hanna said. “Auburn professional flight management graduates currently fly for FedEx, JetBlue, Delta and even serve as pilot of the Goodyear blimp.”

That’s right: the Goodyear blimp.

“The reason you see (the blimp) on our campus more than others is Marty Chandler is an alumni and he comes around every chance he gets,” Watson said. “He is one of many outstanding program alumni who serve on our department advisory board.”

Chandler has many alumni to compete with for the distinction of serving on the advisory board. The Auburn University flight program was established in the late 1930’s when the University started a training program to teach civilians to fly in World War II.

The professional flight management program is now the second oldest in the country and well-respected within the aviation community.

“It comes from a combination of long heritage and a history of successful graduates,” Watson said. “There are lots of Auburn graduates doing good things in aerospace which creates a positive reputation.”

Students who want to become part of Auburn’s storied aviation program will have to pay the price, not only with their textbook, but with their checkbook. Airplanes cost between $130-$200 to rent per hour and Watson estimated students could spend $8,000-$9,000 on a private pilot certification, in addition to the University’s class enrollment fee.

For Watson, the price of the course is worth it, considering the education the aspiring pilot will receive.

“There are other places to learn to fly,” Watson said. “You can become a pilot at your local airport. But the University aviation program provides a more solid foundation and a deeper comprehension of flight education.”

But whatever the price, Watson said flying an airplane is an experience unlike any other.

“The first solo flight is a nervous experience for all concerned,” Watson said. “But it is a day the new pilot will remember and cherish for the rest of their life.”

]]> http://www.flyauburn.org/?feed=rss2&p=302 0 http://www.flyauburn.org/?p=296 http://www.flyauburn.org/?p=296#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:36:13 +0000 admin http://www.flyauburn.org/?p=296 Beginning August 1, 2010, Dr. Bill Hardgrave of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has agreed to join Auburn University as the next Dean of the College of Business.  Please join us in welcoming Dr. Hardgrave to the Auburn Family and in thanking the search committee for their outstanding work over the past months during the search process.

We are fortunate to have Dr. Hardgrave’s reputation and expertise to guide the College of Business and work with our other deans to continue building Auburn University’s national and international reputations.

Information on Dr. Hardgrave

Degrees

• BS, Arkansas Tech University, Computer Science, 1987
• MBA, Missouri State University, Computer Information Systems, 1990
• Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, Management Information Systems, 1993

Teaching Areas

• Systems Development
• Object-oriented Technology
• Research in Systems Development
• Theory Building
• RFID

Research Interests

• Systems Development
  • Object-Oriented Technology
  • Software Process Improvement
• Adoption and Use of Innovations, especially Process Innovations
• IS Personnel (motivation, retention, turnover)
• RFID

Dr. Bill Hardgrave is founder and director of the RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas. He also holds the Edwin & Karlee Bradberry Chair in Information Systems and serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Information Technology Research Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from Oklahoma State University. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Hardgrave worked in a variety of roles for several software development firms.

Dr. Hardgrave has published several books and more than 70 articles primarily on the topic of software development and RFID. His publications have appeared in outlets such as MIS Quarterly, Journal of Management Information Systems, Communication of ACM, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Information & Management, Production and Operations Management, and Computers & Operations Research. His primary research interest involves improving the software development process and environment, and the business value of RFID. In the past few years, Dr. Hardgrave has received multiple awards for teaching and research, including the H.L. and Janelle Hembree Award for Outstanding All-Around Faculty in the Walton College of Business. In 2003, he was honored as one of the “Top 40 under 40″ leaders in Arkansas by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. In 1999, Dr. Hardgrave established the Information Technology Research Institute at the University of Arkansas with a $4 million endowment from the Walton Family Charitable Trust Foundation. He continues to serve as the director of that institute. The institute bridges the gap between academia and practice by engaging a variety of organizations in research and in the classroom.

Recent Research Articles

• The Role of Individual Non-Response Bias in Team-Level Research: The Process of Non- Response and The Conditions Under Which The Non-Response Biases Team-Level Correlations
• Item-Level RFID for Apparel: The Bloomingdale’s RFID Initiative
• Item-Level RFID for Apparel: The Dillard’s RFID Initiative
• The Promise of RFID-based Sensors in the Perishables Supply Chain

]]> http://www.flyauburn.org/?feed=rss2&p=296 0 http://www.flyauburn.org/?p=239 http://www.flyauburn.org/?p=239#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:59:48 +0000 admin http://www.flyauburn.org/FlyAuburn/?p=239 As part of career day, Jason Mohrman, a Pilot with Continental Airlines, visited Lowville Academy and Central School in Lowville, New York. He spoke to first, third, fifth, middle school and high school classes about careers in aviation and promoted Auburn as the best choice for a degree in Aviation Management.

He also met with Guidance Counselors and students to discuss the advantages of attending Auburn University and what it means to be an “Auburn Tiger.”  Later he met with students who  wanted to know more about  aviation and answered their questions about career opportunities in the field of aviation.

Auburn University admissions sent complete university packets, a banner to leave permanently in the high school office, bookmarks and Auburn T-shirts. Continental Airlines sent over 100 pairs of wings that the kids really enjoyed. The whole school was Auburn Orange and on the same day that Syracuse University was playing basketball the school was a different Orange…Auburn Orange. Jason distributed more than  75 T-shirts along with the Continental wings that the then students proudly wore.

A graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School,Richard Hirschey, is currently attending Auburn University. Another student, Shane Hoag, will also be attending Auburn in the fall 2010 in the Aviation Management program. An Auburn University banner is now prominently posted in the high school Guidance Office.  –”It’s all about telling the Auburn story,”  laughs, Jason Mohrman. “It’s great to be an Auburn Tiger.”

WAR EAGLE and THANK YOU JASON!

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