The Center, which began Sept. 1, is a consortium of partners from Purdue, University of Oklahoma, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and industry. Landry will manage the involvement of Purdue researchers who will be working on FAA projects over the next 5 years.

The FAA's Center of Excellence program is a long-term, cost-sharing partnership between academia, industry and government. Congress authorized Air Transportation Centers of Excellence under the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1990. The FAA has established 12 Centers of Excellence in topic areas critical to aviation safety.