2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Aviation Sustainability Education via Law and Policy Courses

Presented at Aerospace Division (AERO) Poster Session

Within collegiate aviation education, courses in aviation law and policy have traditionally focused on the history of U.S. aviation laws, aiming to help students understand how the modern U.S. aviation legislative landscape developed, with particular attention to areas where violations of Federal Aviation Regulations frequently occur. However, sustainability is rapidly becoming an essential component of day-to-day aviation operations. Therefore, it is vital that students preparing to enter the aviation industry recognize the importance of sustainable aviation and are equipped with foundational sustainability-focused knowledge.

It is the responsibility of educational institutions to prepare aviation students for this complex and evolving industry by integrating sustainability topics, particularly those related to the regulatory frameworks required to meet emerging challenges. Sustainability-driven changes will likely foster regulatory conflicts and policy challenges for agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and other governmental bodies, as new legal questions demand sustainable policy solutions.

By establishing a strong foundation in aviation law and policy, institutions have the unique opportunity to help students learn and apply concepts related to policy formation, public discourse and debate, regulatory development, and the roles played by various levels of government, industry participants, and affected communities. This paper discusses the significance of including sustainability topics in aviation education, proposing that these vital subjects be taught through aviation law and policy courses. The research addresses the following questions:

1. To what extent are aviation law and policy courses being offered in aviation degree programs?
2. What are the common elements emphasized in these courses, as indicated by course descriptions?
3. To what extent do these courses integrate topics of sustainability?

This paper analyzes how University Aviation Association (UAA) member institutions incorporate sustainability into aviation law and policy curricula and proposes a framework for a course expressly devoted to teaching sustainability through the lens of aviation law and policy.

Authors

Trevor Simoneau Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach [biography]

Trevor is an instructor in the Department of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he also serves as a research associate at Embry-Riddle's Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety. His academic work focuses on aviation legislation, regulation, and flight safety topics. He studies and writes about the relationship between aviation safety and the law, often in the context of governing new aviation technologies. He earned a master’s degree in aviation, with distinction, and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics, summa cum laude, from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University.
Dr. Tyler Spence http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2029-3440 Oklahoma State University [biography]

Tyler Spence is an Assistant Professor within the aviation program in the College of Education at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Spence earned his PhD in Aviation Technology from Purdue University with concentration in aviation policy issues and political science. He has a specialized interest in international aviation development and sustainable transportation policy issues that combine political science, policy studies, and aviation.
Dr. Shantanu Gupta http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5619-7012 Bowling Green State University [biography]

Shantanu Gupta is an Assistant Professor at the Bowling Green State University in the School of Aviation within the College of Technology, Architecture, and Applied Engineering. Dr. Gupta earned a B.E in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, India, a M.S in Aviation and Aerospace Management from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Technology from Purdue University, West Lafayette. His research interests include aviation data analytics, AI/ML applications in aviation, and aviation business, finance, sustainability, and education.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

« View session