Center for Aviation Safety
The Center for Aviation Safety focuses on specific topic areas relating to aircraft manufacturing, operation, and maintenance that advance the knowledge of aircraft safety.
The Center’s overall research objective is to develop technologies and predictive tools to determine when a composite structure will fail, how long an aircraft can be operated before inspection, and how hazardous conditions such as airflow and icing impact aircraft operation and performance.
Faculty members from five departments are involved in the center’s research: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering. The center engages students at the undergraduate through doctoral level in research, training, and education.
Dr. Kunigal Shivakumar is director of the Center. He is a research professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and also serves as director of the N.C. A&T Center for Composite Materials Research.
The Center is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Research program
The research program is divided into three tasks:
Task 1 – Advanced Composite Materials and Structures,
Task 2 – Integrated Structural Health Management, and
Task 3 – Advanced Aeromechanics and Propulsion.
Aeronautics research principles
The center’s work is founded on the seven principles of the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy:
Mobility through the air is vital to economic stability, growth, and security.
Aviation is vital to national security and homeland defense.
Aviation safety is paramount.
Security of and within the aeronautics enterprise must be maintained.
Continue to possess, rely on, and develop a world-class aeronautics workforce.
Assuring energy availability and efficiency is central to the growth of the aeronautics enterprise.
The environment must be protected while sustaining growth in air transportation.
The Center’s overall research objective is to develop technologies and predictive tools to determine when a composite structure will fail, how long an aircraft can be operated before inspection, and how hazardous conditions such as airflow and icing impact aircraft operation and performance.
Faculty members from five departments are involved in the center’s research: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering. The center engages students at the undergraduate through doctoral level in research, training, and education.
Dr. Kunigal Shivakumar is director of the Center. He is a research professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and also serves as director of the N.C. A&T Center for Composite Materials Research.
The Center is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Research program
The research program is divided into three tasks:
Task 1 – Advanced Composite Materials and Structures,
Task 2 – Integrated Structural Health Management, and
Task 3 – Advanced Aeromechanics and Propulsion.
Aeronautics research principles
The center’s work is founded on the seven principles of the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy:
Mobility through the air is vital to economic stability, growth, and security.
Aviation is vital to national security and homeland defense.
Aviation safety is paramount.
Security of and within the aeronautics enterprise must be maintained.
Continue to possess, rely on, and develop a world-class aeronautics workforce.
Assuring energy availability and efficiency is central to the growth of the aeronautics enterprise.
The environment must be protected while sustaining growth in air transportation.
