A similar CRJ-100ER Jet.
According to John Mott, Director of the Advanced Aviation Analytics Institute for Research (A3IR-CORE), “Students in the department's Professional Flight program will be able to use the former Delta Air Lines aircraft as an advanced systems learning laboratory.”
Mott adds, “Our Aeronautical Engineering Technology students will gain knowledge in FAA maintenance practices for transport aircraft, and our Aviation Management students will benefit from coordinating operations involving the aircraft and from participating in ground-handling research projects.”
The CRJ was made in 1995 and features two General Electric CF34 turbofan engines. The jet was in service under both Comair and Delta. In fact, Purdue instructional pilot Kenneth Raver flew the craft back when he worked at Comair. Now he will re-embark as an instructor.
While with A3IR-CORE the CRJ will assist teaching and research into maintenance procedures, ground operations, servicing, towing/taxing, ground-hauling, customer service, boarding, de-boarding and baggage handling.
Department head John Wensveen complimented Delta’s partnership with A3IR-CORE. The connection was made by the Industry-Purdue Opportunity Pipeline (iPOP), begun by Purdue faculty to include industry partnerships in education.
Wensveen explains, “iPOP will provide a smooth progression for aviation technology students to participate in industry projects as undergraduates, develop and demonstrate leadership and project management skills as graduate students, and obtain internship and placement opportunities.”
With this plane now in the hands of Purdue’s engineering technology students, I wonder how long it will take for the engineering students to join in on the fun with their STEM kin?
Source Purdue
Picture courtesy of Wikipedia
