Research

UAA's Aviation Technology division is involved in a variety of aviation-related research projects. Areas of study include:

• Navigation systems (Capstone)
• Weather forecasting (Alaska Experimental Forecast Facility)
• Remote Airfield Lighting System
• Aircraft ground movements (Taxiway Centerline Deviation Study)
• Air Traffic Controller "Simulation-In-The-Loop" study (ACTIVE, FAA Runway Safety Office)

Some of the research projects employ students admitted into our aviation programs. This is an excellent opportunity to get experience in the field of aviation. We periodically advertise such positions among our student body and let our students go through professional hiring procedures.

The Aviation Technology division is part of the Center of Excellence for General Aviation, a collaborative research effort between very prominent universities. The University of Alaska is one of the founding members; others are:

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Florida A&M University
• University of North Dakota
• Middle Tennessee State University
• Wichita State University

By combining our expertise and resources, we are able to research a variety of aviation-related areas and welcome you to contact us for your research needs.

Current research activities involve expanding new navigation and situational-awareness technology into the cockpit of private pilots by studying flexible, low-cost alternatives. Features of this new technology include moving map displays, flight following, and weather information in the cockpit.

We are able to recreate almost any environment in the world by utilizing advanced 3D design software. The Aviation Technology division has partnered with Adacel Inc., a hardware and software supplier in simulation, for the tower simulator, and Xavius Inc. for the radar simulator. Together we can offer the aviation industry unprecedented visualization studies.

Contact Marcus Holmquist, Aviation Technology research associate and simulation center manager, at 907.786.7206 or ansmh@uaa.alaska.edu for more information.

The Capstone project is an exciting new technology based on ADS-B technology that allows pilots in equipped aircraft in Alaska to navigate with the help of a moving map. 

The system also has aircraft recognition, terrain awareness features, and weather information.  This is a cooperative project between FAA, Garmin, Chelton, and UAA Aviation Technology division. 

The program which started in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska has been expanded to southeast Alaska, (Capstone Phase II) where synthetic vision has been an added feature.  So far, research shows that the Alaskan Aviation Accident statistics has improved drastically since the inception of this new technology.

For more information, please visit the FAA Capstone website.

The FAA Air Transportation Center of Excellence for General Aviation Research is a consortium of academia, industry, and government that is ready to address the critical needs of general aviation through synergistic relationships.

Our Mission
Our mission is to make significant contributions toward the improvement of air transportation, safety and efficiency.  We will accomplish our goals with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance aviation related research, education and technology transfer and utilization in mission critical areas. 

Essentially, CGAR is a conglomerate of academia, industry, and government that will network in collaborative studies and research intended to further the progression of general aviation. 

For further inquiries about our activities, please contact UAA Aviation Technology division assistant director, Leonard Kirk at 907.786.7224, or visit CGAR.org.

Current CGAR Research at University of Alaska
Remote Airfield Lighting System