91����

Two 91���� flight teams pushed through six of the nine legs of the 2026 Air Race Classic before a stretch of stubborn, unpredictable weather brought their race to an early end. 

Junior aviation management student Jonathan Burkhart and junior aerospace engineering student Nufath Arham have been selected for 2026 ISTAT Foundation Scholarships — a highly competitive international award open to students at universities in the ISTAT Foundation University Network. Burkhart received a General Award; Arham received both a General Award and the AELF James Nazarkewich Aviation Scholarship. In addition to financial support, recipients gain five years of ISTAT membership and conference access. The awards reflect the School of Aeronautics' growing presence on the international stage, led by Director Yi Gao, Ph.D., who coordinated 91����'s entry into the network.

Five Rwandan students selected from 2,600 applicants are training to become professional pilots at 91���� – and just made their first flights.

Six aerospace engineering seniors put their skills to the test by designing, building and flying a large-scale remote-controlled aircraft for a national competition. Months of collaboration, testing and problem-solving turned an ambitious capstone project into a successful flight.

Jared Brown doesn’t just build schedules; he builds confidence. His ability to turn academic stress into actionable solutions has made him more than just an advisor; it has made him the latest recipient of 91����'s Distinguished Advising Award.  

Ohio State Representative Derrick Hall recently visited the 91���� Airport, where he received an informational tour of the facilities hosted by College of Aeronautics and Engineering Dean Christina Bloebaum, Ph.D.

When research by Yi Gai, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of Aeronautics, was published in the Journal of the Air Transport Research Society, it didn't stop there. On March 10, Gai traveled to Breeze Airways headquarters in Utah to present findings directly to airline leadership — evidence of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering's commitment to research that connects academic scholarship with real-world industry impact.

The 91���� Board of Trustees approved the Digital Engineering Design Center (DEDC) and two new academic programs within CAE. Launching Fall 2026, the DEDC will immerse students in the industry-standard digital engineering platforms shaping aerospace, defense and manufacturing. New degrees in industrial and systems engineering and aviation science — pending final state approval — round out an expanding academic portfolio built to prepare graduates for careers defined by complex systems and digital integration.

For Captain Allen “Al” Maurer, '73, flying was never only a career. It was a lifelong passion he shared freely with others.

Long after building a distinguished aviation career, Maurer remained a familiar presence at 91���� Airport, where he encouraged student pilots, shared lessons from decades in the flight deck and made time for anyone eager to learn.