Eagle Flight Research Center

The Embry-Riddle Eagle Flight Research Center (EFRC) serves as the university’s Aerospace Research & Design facility.

The state-of-the-art center is equipped to conduct a variety of projects, including: experimental flight testing, aircraft modifications for FAA certification, design and testing of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), development and verification of high-fidelity (up to Level D) flight-data models used in engineering and training simulators and prototype engineering solutions to advance eco-friendly alternatives in aviation.

The EFRC is affiliated with the College of Engineering's Department of Aerospace Engineering and supports the class and individual projects of the university’s various undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral engineering students. The students’ research and practical efforts are supported by a diverse and experienced faculty, with specialties in fixed- and rotary-wing flight dynamics and control, flight testing, aeroelasticity, electrical engineering, air-breathing propulsion, parameter identification, and aerodynamics. To aid in a variety of research projects, the EFRC maintains a dedicated experimental Cessna 182, which is equipped with an internal navigation system and flight-testing data acquisition and sensor package.

The EFRC has an experienced staff of professors, staff, and consulting FAA-Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs), pilots, and technicians and our faculty, staff, and students are experienced with experimental aircraft, certification, instrumentation, and data gathering and analysis.

Completed and ongoing projects at the EFRC include:

• Design, build, and testing of a 100 kW serial hybrid electric power plant.
• Design, build, and testing of an 8-rotor eVTOL handling qualities research prototype.
• Design and modification of a Diamond HK-36 motor-glider from gas to electric propulsion.
• Design, build, and flight testing of a twin rotor tail-sitter UAV.
• Design, modification, and flight of the “World’s First Parallel Direct-Drive Hybrid Aircraft” for the NASA/Google-sponsored Green Flight Challenge.
• Flight testing campaigns for the Diamond DA42 Twinstar and DA42 L-360 Level 6 Flight Training Devices (FTDs).
• Development of structural health monitoring systems for rotorcraft.
• Modification of a Beechcraft King Air to enable operation as an aerial sprayer.