“Bold Step” missed in $14m ASCENT awards to 19 Universities
Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment Laurence Wildgoose recently announced multiple research grants totaling $19,000,000 to 14 universities. The academic institutions rank among the world’s most qualified aerospace engineering.
The explosive growth in aviation (SSTs, UAS, AAMs, UAMs and eVTOLs) have challenged and will continue to test the FAA technical staff in numerous ways. These grants are under the ASCENT program which is a well-constructed consortium of relevant scholars recognized for their research in noise reduction, measuring noise impacts from these innovative vehicles and the effects of aircraft one communities (noise, sleep, cardiovascular health and mental health, sleep disturbance, values of housing).
His selection of these universities does not seem to be consistent with the Biden Administration’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy. Historically Black Colleges and Universities are absent from the Assistant Administrator list of grantees. NASA, for example, has teamed up HBCUs, Alabama State University, Florida A&M University, and J.F. Drake State Technical College with other universities in joint projects “to increase diversity in engineering”.
In his own words, Mr. Wildgoose explained his DEI perspective:
“I am encouraged by many of the actions public and private sector organizations are pursuing to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workforce. We need to renew the federal government’s commitment to making the American Dream real for workers across the country by taking bold steps to root out inequity from the U.S. economy and expand opportunities for Americans who have been left behind.”
The HBCUs “have a rich history of producing highly skilled professionals in various fields, including aerospace engineering. These institutions have played a significant role in advancing the African American community’s academic and socio-economic status by providing top-quality educational programs at an affordable rate. In this article…
Tuskegee University is a private institution located in Tuskegee, Alabama, founded in 1881. The University has been recognized as one of the best HBCUs for producing skilled aerospace engineers. Tuskegee’s Aerospace Science Engineering program is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology and offers rigorous coursework in aircraft design, propulsion systems, and space technology. The program is designed to prepare students for various fields such as spacecraft engineering, satellite design, and aircraft manufacturing.
Howard University, located in Washington D.C., is another top HBCU with a renowned engineering program. Howard’s Department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on developing innovative technologies in the aerospace industry. The program’s curriculum emphasizes engineering principles, as well as research on aircraft design, robotics, and aerodynamics. Students can also benefit from the university’s partnerships with prestigious organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
3. North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina A&T State University is a public research institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is known for producing highly skilled Aerospace Engineers. The program offers coursework in areas such as flight mechanics, aircraft design, and propulsion systems. The program also provides students with hands-on experience in their state-of-the-art Laboratories.
4. Hampton University
Hampton University, located in Hampton, Virginia, has a well-established Aerospace Engineering program within their School of Engineering and Technology. The curriculum includes courses such as aerospace structures, aerodynamics, and flight dynamics, ensuring that graduates of the program are equipped with the skills necessary for successful careers in the field.
5. Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University, located in Tallahassee, Florida, offers a comprehensive Aerospace Engineering Program. The program encompasses diverse areas of aerospace engineering such as space exploration, aircraft design, and propulsion systems. The program offers students both theoretical and practical knowledge through classroom instruction and laboratory work.
In conclusion, HBCUs have played a crucial role in providing quality education to minority students in the field of Aerospace Engineering. These institutions have consistently produced exemplary graduates who’ve gone ahead to make significant contributions to the industry. Prospective students who are passionate about aerospace engineering should consider attending any of the above-listed institutions to fulfill their career aspirations.”
It appears that a bold step to root out inequity was missed???
====================================================Quiet Skies: Universities to Research Way to Reduce Aviation Noise
WASHINGTON — America’s best aviation minds will look for new ways to reduce aviation noise this year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $19 million to 14 universities across the country as part of the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT).
“Research is the gateway to breakthroughs. With the best minds, we can reduce noise and fly with net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen.
The noise-related projects include:
Noise Reduction for New Aircraft
- Examine the potential noise reduction benefits of an over-wing jet engine design concept:
$300,000 to Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Simulate sonic booms in realistic environments to inform the development of noise certification standards for future low-boom supersonic aircraft:
$220,000 to Pennsylvania State University.
- Develop improved supersonic aircraft noise prediction methods:
$850,000 to Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University.
Noise and Advance Air Mobility Aircraft, Drones and Rotorcraft
- Develop noise models for different types of Advanced Air Mobility vehicles: $315,000 to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Develop acoustic modeling for Urban Air Mobility vehicles with low noise operations: $280,000 to Pennsylvania State University.
- Evaluate the noise exposure that could result from large numbers of commercial and private UAS vehicles: $300,000 to Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Develop noise abatement procedures for helicopters in various phases of flight through computer modeling: $170,000 to Pennsylvania State University.
Noise and Communities
- Assess and quantify if any correlation exists between aircraft noise, sleep, cardiovascular health and mental health: $1,999,608 to Boston University.
- Investigate the effects of aviation noise on sleep disturbance: $1,077,621 to University of Pennsylvania.
- Estimate if any housing value loss has occurred due to aircraft noise exposure: $300,000 to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In addition to the noise reduction and exposure studies, other projects focus on sustainable aviation fuel, alternative jet fuel supply chains, engine technology, commercial space and environmental measurement. Also working on ASCENT projects are teams from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Purdue University, University of Dayton, University of Hawai’i, University of North Carolina, University of Tennessee and Washington State University.
“The university teams are creating a new path for the aviation industry and our investments in the research are paying dividends today,” said Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment Laurence Wildgoose.
During the past year, the FAA has invested more than $35 million in the ASCENT research effort and more than $130 million since the program began in 2014. Detailed descriptions of all ASCENT projects and the grant amounts can be found here.
In its Aviation Climate Action Plan, the United States set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. aviation sector by 2050. To achieve it, the FAA:
• Has awarded $100 million to research and scale fuel-saving technologies and noise reductions
• Is deploying software allowing airplanes to roll right to the runway and take off
• Has awarded $327 million to electrify airport gate equipment and vehicles
• Has invested $35 million for universities to help build sustainable aviation fuel supply chains
Find more information about the FAA and its environmental efforts at its Sustainability Gateway Page and its list of action plan accomplishments.
