Research
Rural Aviation

The primary mission of the Rural and Small Urban Aviation Research and Service Program is to foster and enhance the ability of aviation to make a positive contribution to the local economies and social environment of rural areas and small urban communities. The program will accomplish this mission by increasing the knowledge base and understanding of aviation issues that impact these environs.

The purpose of the program would be to develop a research, education, and service program that focuses on rural and small urban aviation issues. The program targets four specific areas of concern:

• General Aviation
• Essential Air Service
• Aviation Services
• Air Cargo Service

These focus areas cover a majority of aviation concerns of rural and small urban areas.

The specific goal of the program is to conduct research, education, and service activities that add value to the main constituent groups that fund the program, and their customers. More specifically, the objectives are:

• Propose and conduct research activities that address relevant questions and knowledge gaps regarding aviation services to rural areas and small urban communities.
• Conduct service programs that result in improved understanding of aviation issues unique to this area of study, and training and technology transfer that advances aviation investment, operations, and management.
• Educate graduate and undergraduate college students about aviation issues of the aforementioned environs through formal course offerings, graduate research assistantships, and possibly internships.

For more information about this program, please e-mail julie.rodriguez@ndsu.edu.