Gift Enhances Aerospace Engineering Education And Research Programs

Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 11, 2013 – In a ceremony today at its Daytona Beach, Fla., campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University officially took delivery of two turbofan engines donated by leading aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney to enhance aerospace engineering education at the university. The event featured remarks by John P. Johnson, president of Embry-Riddle, and Alan Epstein, vice president, technology and environment, Pratt & Whitney.

The engines, housed in the Gas Turbine Laboratory at the campus, will help engineering students expand their understanding of turbine engines. Students eventually will take the engines apart to study the evolution of engine design compared to other engines in the lab.

“This donation by Pratt & Whitney offers considerable educational value to our students, research knowledge to our faculty and credibility to our College of Engineering,” said Magdy Attia, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the laboratory. “It strengthens our relationship with a world-class engine company and reinforces Embry-Riddle’s niche as a leader in hands-on, applied education.”

“The success of Pratt & Whitney in its more than 87-year history is in large part due to innovation driven by some of the world’s finest engineers. Pratt & Whitney is pleased to partner with Embry-Riddle to further such progress in this century. We invest in science and math education because we rely on talented engineering students to help us solve technical challenges,” said Epstein.

One of the engines, a Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15A, is used in Boeing 727 and 737 and DC-9 aircraft. It can produce up to 15,500 lbs. of thrust and was an innovator in fuel efficiency. The other engine, a PW4062 used in the Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft and the KC-46A tanker, can achieve 62,000 lbs. of thrust.

Embry-Riddle’s Gas Turbine Laboratory is used in conjunction with courses in thermodynamics, propulsion and heat transfer, as well as for graduate student research projects and work with aerospace corporations.

(Pictured L-R: Magdy Attia, professor of aerospace engineering, ERAU; Stephen Yue, director of McGill University Institute for Aerospace Engineering; Michael Winter, chief engineer for technology, Pratt & Whitney; Tasos Lyrintzis, chair of aerospace engineering, ERAU; Hany Moutstapha, distinguished visiting professor of engineering, ERAU; Maj Mirmirani, dean, College of Engineering, ERAU; Alan Epstein, VP, technology and environment, Pratt & Whitney; John Johnson, president, ERAU; Joie Alexander former member of Volusia County Council; Wagdi Habashi director, CFD lab, mechanical engineering department, McGill University; Richard Heist, chancellor, Daytona Beach campus, ERAU.)

FMI: www.pratt-whitney.com, www.erau.edu