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Rian Mehta

Associate / Assistant Dean | College of Aeronautics

Assistant Professor

Contact Information

rmehta2009@fit.edu
(321) 674-7637
George M. Skurla Hall, 210D

Personal Overview

Dr. Mehta has an extensive background in aviation research. Over the last several years, he was been involved in multiple aspects of the aviation industry, from airport operations and management, to Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, as well as future airline cockpit design research. He is also a commercial rated pilot. Dr. Mehta in addition to past roles involving teaching, was the Assistant Managing Editor for the International Journal of Aviation Sciences.

Educational Background

  • FAA Commercial Multi/Single Pilot’s certification with instrument rating
  • FAA Certified Small Unmanned Aerial System Remote Pilot (Part 107)
  • B.S., Aviation Management with Flight, Ňů69
  • M.S.A., Applied Aviation Safety, Ňů69
  • Ph.D., Aviation Sciences, Ňů69
  • GSP Certified – Graduate Safety Practitioner under Board of Certified Safety Professionals

Professional Experience

Additional Duties

  • Chairman ACITC - Academic Information Technology Committee (April 2019-April 2020)
  • Academic Program Assessment Committee (APAC) Member
  • Academic Standing Committee Administrator, College of Aeronautics
  • Compliance and Assessment Coordinator, College of Aeronautics
  • New Faculty Mentorship Program, College of Aeronautics
  • Faculty Senator
  • Greek Alumni Advisory Board
  • Reviewing panelist Department of Defense’s SMART Scholarship
  • Assistant Managing Editor - International Journal of Aviation Sciences
  • Academic Information Technology Committee (ACITC) Chairman 
  • UAS Minor Chair
  • Internship Chair - College of Aeronautics
  • University Disciplinary Committee (UDC) Faculty Member
  • Advising Training Committee - College of Aeronautics
  • Publications Committee - College of Aeronautics
  • Advisor/Division Vice President  - Delta Tau Delta Fraternity

Current Courses

  • AVM 1000 – Introduction to Aviation
  • AHF 1101 â€“ Introduction to Aviation Psychology
  • AVT 2303 – Aviation Career Planning
  • AHF 3101 – Introduction to Human Factors
  • AVT 4002 â€“ Aviation Research
  • AVS 4304 – Aviation Security
  • AHF 5101 – Human Factors in Man Machine Systems (Grad)
  • AVT 5000 – Airspace Safety (Grad)
  • AVS 5206 – Aviation Security (Grad)
  • AHF5990 – Directed Research

  • AHF 5991 â€“ Sensation and Perception (Grad)

Selected Publications

Journal Articles, * indicates student author:

  • *Osman, M., *Sharma, V., *Ficke, C., Mehta, R., Wheeler, B.E., & Carroll, M. (2022). Predicting Pilot-in-training Success and Persistence in a Private South Eastern United States University. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 40(2) 146-164. Retrieved from

  • *Milner, M., Mehta, R., Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Anania, E., *Ragbir, N., & *Smith, C. (2021). Factors predicting patients’ willingness to use robotic dental services. International Journal of Social Robotics, 1-19.

  • Mehta, R., Winter, S. R., Rice, S., & *Edwards, M. (2021). Are Passengers Willing to Ride on Autonomous Cruise-Ships? Maritime Transport Research, 2.

  • Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., Tamilselvan, G., Anania, E. C., & Milner, M. N. (2021). Identifying the factors that predict a consumer’s willingness to ride in various types of driverless vehicles. Technology in Society, 64, 101476.  

  • Ward, K. A., Winter, S. R., Cross, D. S., Robbins, J. M., Mehta, R., Doherty, S., & Rice, S. (2020). Safety systems, culture, and willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis: A multi-study and mediation analysis. The Journal of Air Transport Management, 91.        

  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., *Li, T., *Cooke, S., *Lange, R., *Black, M., *Smith, C., Milner, M., Winter, S. R., *Ragbir, N., & *Vaughn, A. (2020). What Type of Collegiate Pilot is Likely to Experience Imposter Phenomenon? Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 29(3), 37-67. 

  • Mehta, R. (2020). Self-Assessment Data May Be Significantly Skewed During Global Health Crises. International Journal of Aviation Research, 12(01), 35-42.

  • *Milner, M. N., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., Rice, S., *Pierce, M., *Anania, E. C., *Candelaria-Oquendo, K., *Garcia, D., & *Walters, N. (Accepted). Patient Perception of Interactive Mobile Health Care Apps: A Predictive Model. International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management.

  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R., *Anania, E. C., *Baugh, B. S., & *Milner, M. N. (2020). Determining the predictors for ease of sleep while on aircraft: Regression and qualitative analyses. Journal of Air Transport Management, 83. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Deaton, J., & Winter, S. R. (2019). Creating a Prediction Model of Passenger Preference between Legacy and Low-Cost Airlines. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3, 100075. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Spence, T., *Edwards, M., & *Candelaria-Oquendo, K. (2019). Generalizability of Effect Sizes Within Aviation Research: More Samples Are Needed. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 6(5). 
  • Mehta, R. (2019). The Graduate Advisor-Advisee Relationship: What Both Parties Should Expect. International Journal of Aviation Research, 11(1), 29-35. 
  • Mehta, R., *Rao, N.A., *Labonte, E., Rice, S., Carstens, D. and *Gaenicke, S. (2019) Consumers from India and the USA have differing views of flight attendants. International Journal of Aviation Management, 4(3), 147–162. 
  • Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., Keebler, J. R., *Baugh, B. S., *Anania, E. C., & *Milner, M. N. (2019). Does length of ride, gender or nationality affect willingness to ride in a driverless ambulance. Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems, 7, 39-55. 
  • Mehta, R., *Chauhan, B., *Edwards, M., Rosser, T., Dunbar, V., & Rice, S. (2019). Does a SWT Reverse Contagion Effect Exist from Humans to Automation. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 37(1), 90-106. 
  • Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., & *Ragbir, N. K. (2019). What factors predict the type of person who is willing to fly in an autonomous commercial airplane? Journal of Air Transport Management, 75, 131-138. 
  • *Marte, D. A., *Anania, E. C., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Milner, M. N., Winter, S. R., *Walters, N., *Capps, J., & *Ragbir, N. (2018). What type of person supports 24/7 police drones over neighborhoods? A regression analysis. Journal of Unmanned Aerial Systems, 4(1), 61-70.
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., *Walters, N. W., *Pierce, M. B., *Anania, E. C., *Milner, M. N., & *Rao, N. (2018). Do Americans differ in their willingness to ride in a driverless bus? Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems. 6(4), 267-278. 
  • Winter, S.R., Keebler, J. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., & *Baugh, B.S. (2018). Patient perceptions on the use of an autonomous emergency medical transport: An affective perspective. Transportation Research Part F. 58, 431-441. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R., & *Eudy, M. (2017). Perceptions of Cockpit Configurations: A Culture and Gender Analysis. International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 27(1-2), 57-63. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R., & Buza, P. (2017). Cabin Depressurization as a Hijacking Mitigation Tactic: A Consumer Perceptions Study. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 35(1), 13. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., *Rains, T., *Milner, M., & Mehta, R. (2017). A longitudinal study on the alteration of consumer perceptions and the use of pilot medication. Journal of Air Transport Management, 59, 100-106. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., *Friedenreich, K., Mehta, R., & *Kaiser, B. (2017). Passenger Perceptions Toward the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program and their Willingness to Fly. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 7(1), 7-17. 
  • Rice, S., Winter, S., Mehta, R., Winter, R., Rice, A. & Oyman, K. (2017). Consumer perceptions of aircraft safety scale (C-PASS): An empirically developed scale for American consumers. The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society13(2), 39-47.       
  • Mehta, R. & Rice, S. (2016). System Wide Trust: A Possible Contagion Effect. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 34(1), 12
  • Mehta, R. & Rice, S. (2016). Creating a Short Scale for In-Flight Experience Quality. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 6(12), 970-974. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Winter, R., Reid, K. & Cremer, I. (2016). Using System-Wide Trust Theory to Make Predictions About Trust in Transportation Automation. Journal of Technologies and Human Usability, 12(2), 1-11. 
  • Rice, S., Trafimow, D., & Mehta, R. (2016). Using Confluence Theory to Make Unusual Predictions About Desire, Expectation, and Intention Attributions. Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(2), 8. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., & *Rao, N. (2016). Traveler Perceptions of Trust in Air Traffic Controllers: A Cultural Comparison between India and The United States. International Journal of Social Science Research, 4(1), 98-114. 
  • Rice, S., Kraemer, K., & Mehta, R. (2015). Which Emotion(s) Mediate the Relationship Between Mental Illness and Trust? Issues in Social Science3(2), 132. 
  • Rice, S., Trafimow, D., & Mehta, R. (2015). The Case for Adding Randomness to the Nature-Nurture Debate. Issues in Social Science, 3(2), 121. 
  • Rice, S., Winter, S.R., Kraemer, K., Mehta, R. & Oyman, K. (2015). How do depression medications taken by pilots affect passengers' willingness to fly? A mediation analysis. Review of European Studies, 7(11), 200. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Carstens, D., Cremer, I. & Oyman, K. (2015).  A brief intermodal rail network (IRN) scale: Establishing validity and reliability. Journal of Sustainable Development, 8(6), 243. 
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R., Winter, S.R. & Oyman, K. (2015). A Trustworthiness of Commercial Airline Pilots (T-CAP) Scale for American Consumers. Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering, 4(2), 55. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., *Reid, K. M., & Mehta, R. (2015). Consistency of Aviation Students When Taking the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 24(2), 21-38. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Cremer, I., *Reid, K. M., Rosser, T. R., & Moore, J. C. (2015). Indian and American consumer perceptions of cockpit configuration. Journal of Air Transport Management42, 226-231. 
  • Rice, S., Graves, W., Stauble, M. & Mehta, R. (2015). Perception of video game experience and its effects on Ňů69 tasks and tests. Ubiquitous Learning: An International Journal, 8(2). 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., & Mehta, R. (2014). Aviation Consumers’ Trust in Pilots: A Cognitive or Emotional Function. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1(1), 2. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., & Winter, S.R. (2014). Examining the relationship between familiarity and reliability of automation in the cockpit. Collegiate Aviation Review, 32(2), 1-13. 
  • Rice, S., Kraemer, K., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., Dunbar, V., Rosser, T. G., & Moore, J. C. (2014). Passengers from India and the United States Have Differential Opinions about Autonomous Auto-Pilots for Commercial Flights. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1(1), 3. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Rosser, T., Mehta, R. & Rice, A. (2014). Consumer perceptions of starting regional pilot pay given additional qualifications. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1(2), 1.
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R., Steelman, L. & Winter, S.R. (2014). A trustworthiness of commercial airline pilots (T-CAP) scale for Indian consumers. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1(3), 3.

Conference Publications, * indicates student author:

  • Carroll, M., *Chaparro, M., Rebensky, S., *Carmody, K., Mehta, R., & Pittorie, R. (Accepted). Adapting to the Times: Examining Instructional Strategies in Preferred and Non-Preferred Learning Environments. Invited presentation at the 23rd HCI International Conference 2021.
  •  Mehta, R., & Rice, S. (2020). How Does the News Affect Willingness to Fly? Presentation at the 73rd Annual UAA Education Conference, Virtual.

  • Wheeler, B.E., *Risso, A., *Albrecht, T., Mehta, R., & Silver, I. (2020). Duration and Efficiency of Private Pilot Training. Presentation at the 73rd Annual UAA Education Conference, Virtual.
  • *King, G., *Horton, A., *Buford, L., Mehta, R., & Wheeler, B.E. (2020). The Impact of Airport Classification on Wildlife Strikes. University Aviation Association, Student poster competition, 1stPlace, Undergraduate category.

  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R., *Milner, M., Mehta, F. (2020, March). What Factors Influence the Imposter Phenomenon amongst Collegiate Flight Students? Presentation at the 2020 National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS).
  • *Nakushian, A., *Kapar, A., *Ryan, K., Mehta, R. & Wheeler, B. (2020, March). Prevalence of Invulnerability in Collegiate Part 141 Flight Students. Presentation at the 2020 National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS).
  • *Madonna, C., *Moore, J., *Gerald, J., Wheeler, B. & Mehta, R. (2020, March). A Look at Risk Attitude: Flight Students Compared to Non-Flight Students. Presentation at the 2020 National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS).
  • Mehta, R., *Chauhan, B., *Edwards, M., Rosser, T., Dunbar, V., & Rice, S. (2019, October). Is there a System Wide Trust Reverse Contagion Effect from Humans to Automation? Presentation at the 72nd Annual UAA Education Conference & Expo, Memphis, TN. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Spence, T. B., *Edwards, M., *Candelaria-Oquendo, K. & *Baugh, B.S. (2019, May). Are Convenience Samples Generalizable Within the Aviation Industry? Poster presented at the 20th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Dayton, Ohio.
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R., Winter, S. R., *Anania, E., *Milner, M. N., & *Ragbir, N. (2019, March). What type of person is willing to undergo a teeth cleaning with a dental robot? Poster accepted to the 2019 International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, Chicago, IL.
  • Winter, S.R., Keebler, J. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., & *Baugh, B.S. (2018, October). Driverless ambulances: A possibility, but will patients ride? Paper presented at the 62nd International Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Philadelphia, PA. 
  • *Anania, E. C., Mehta, R., *Marte, D., Rice, S., & Winter, S. R. (2018). Which factors predict consumer willingness to ride in driverless vehicles? Paper accepted for the Proceedings of the 62nd International Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Philadelphia, PA. 
  • *Anania, E., Rice, S., Winter, S., Mehta, R., & Vaden, E. (2018). Potential predictors of ability to sleep during commercial air travel. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2018 Institute of Industrial & System Engineers Conference & Expo, Orlando, FL.
  • *Milner, M., Mehta, R., Rice, S., & Winter, S.R. (2017, May). What Information About Consumers Predicts Their Trust in Autopilots? 19th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Dayton, Ohio.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., & Winter, S.R. (2017, March). How Consistent Are Consumers’ Perceptions of Willingness to Fly? Presentation at the 2017 Industry, Engineering, & Management Systems Conference, Cocoa Beach, Ňů69.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., & Winter, S.R. (2017, March). How many planes can one remote control co-pilot handle? Presentation at the 2017 Industry, Engineering, & Management Systems Conference, Cocoa Beach, Ňů69.
  • Rice, S., & Mehta, R. (2017, March). Developing a Valid and Reliable Willingness to Interact with Drones (WID) Scale. Presentation at the 2017 Industry, Engineering, & Management Systems Conference, Cocoa Beach, Ňů69.
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Keebler, J. R., & Mehta, R. (2017, March). Patient perceptions on the use of an auto-piloted emergency medical transport: An affective perspective. 2017 International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • *Hart, M., Mehta, R., & Rice, S. (2016). Consumer Perceptions of Controlled Rest in Position During Long Distance Flights. Poster presented at the 9th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Mehta, R., *Hruszczyk, A., *Mickevicius, J., *Friedenreich, K., & Rice, S. (2016). The effects age has on attitudes towards aviation related technology. Poster presented at the 9th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • *Mickevicius, J., *Friedenreich, K., Mehta, R., *Hruszczyk, A. & Rice, S. (2016). Opinions Aviation Consumers Have on Problematic Airport Security Situations. Proceedings of the 2016 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  • *Friedenreich, K., *Mickevicius, J., Mehta, R., *Pierre, S., Rice, S. (2016). Consumer Willingness to Fly Onboard Aircraft with Armed Pilots. Proceedings of the 2016 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  • *Friedenreich, K., *Mickevicius, J., Mehta, R., *Eudy, M. & Rice, S. (2016). The Effects Advertising has on Passenger Opinions towards Advancements in Aviation Technology. Proceedings of the 2016 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Rice, S., Oyman, K. & Mehta, R. (2015). A quick and valid aircraft safety scale. Atmospheric Science Symposium. Istanbul, Turkey. Invited Presentation.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Rao, N., *Coudert, A. & Oyman, K. (2015, April). Age and Trust in Air Traffic Controllers: A Comparison Between Two Countries. Presentation at the 8th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R. & Oyman, K. (2015, April). Consumer Perceptions About Cabin Depressurization During Hijackings. Presentation at the 8th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R. & Oyman, K. (2015, April). Is There a Stigma Associated with Pilots Taking Medication? Poster presented at the 8th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Moore, J. C. & Oyman, K. (2015, April). Public Perceptions of Privacy Toward the Usage of Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Valid and Reliable Instrument. Poster presented at the 8th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Mehta, R., *Rao, N., *Labonte, E., Rice, S. & Oyman, K. (2015). Age and trust in flight attendants: A comparison between two countries. 18th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Dayton, Ohio.
  • Cremer, I., Rice, S., Winter, S.R., Mehta, R. & Oyman, K. (2015). Water reuse attitudes for airports: A regression analysis. 18th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Dayton, Ohio.
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R. & Oyman, K. (2015). A valid and reliable safety scale for commercial airline passengers (SS-CAP). 18th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Dayton, Ohio.
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Cremer, I., & Mehta, R. (2015, May). Consumer trust ratings after an airline accident: An affective perspective. Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Dayton, Ohio.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R. & Oyman, K. (2015). System Wide Trust: The Contagion Effect from Automation to Human. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., *Oni, M.A., *Oni, M.D., *Ghosal, S. & Oyman, K. (2015). Consumer willingness to fly on sub-orbital flights: A regression analysis. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R., *Ghosal, S., *Oni, M.A., *Oni, M.D. & Oyman, K. (2015). A valid and reliable scale to measure perceived customer service skills of flight attendants. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R., Oyman, K., *Oni, M.D., *Ghosal, S. & *Oni, M.A. (2015). Sociable pilots are trusted more than their unsociable counterparts: An affective perspective. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., *Butalla, S. & Oyman, K. (2015). Cultural and gender differences in willingness to fly on manned space flights for tourists. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
  • Rice, S., Mehta, R., Dunbar, V., Oyman, K., *Ghosal, S., *Oni, M.D. & *Oni, M.A. (2015). A valid and reliable scale for consumer willingness to fly. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
  • *D’souza, C. E., Winter, S.R., Mehta, R., Rice, S., & Brown, A. (2015). Airline consumers’ perceptions of Transportation Security Administration’s prohibited items. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Rice, S., Oyman, K., Mehta, R. & *Oni, M. (2015). A valid and reliable scale for aircraft safety: The consumers' perspective. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge and Society.
  • Mehta, R., *Reid, K., Rice, S., *Venus, D. & Winter, S.R. (2015). System-Wide Trust Theory: The trust contagion goes beyond automation. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge and Society.
  • *Reid, K., Mehta, R., Rice, S. & Winter, S.R. (2015). Consumer perceptions of technology used to keep our pilots professional. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge and Society.
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S, & Winter, S. R. (2014, October). Examining the relationship between familiarity and reliability of automation in the cockpit.Presentation at the University Aviation Association Fall Conference, Daytona Beach, FL. 
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R. & Oyman, K. (2014). Consumers' perceptions about autopilots and remote-controlled commercial aircraft. Proceedings of the 57thAnnual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Chicago, IL.             
  • *Tunstall, C., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Dunbar, V. & Oyman, K. (2014). Time pressure has limited benefits for human-automation performance. Proceedings of the 57thAnnual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Chicago, IL.             
  • Mehta, R., Rice, S, & Winter, S. R. (2014, April). Consumers’ perceptions about autopilots and remote-controlled commercial aircraft. Poster presented at the 7th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL. 
  • Mehta, R., Winter, S. R, & Rice, S. (2014, April). Examining the relationship between familiarity of automation and perceived reliability across various levels of pilot experience. Poster presented at the 7th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference, Daytona Beach, FL. 
  • Winter, S. R., Rice, S., & Mehta, R. (2014, January). Aviation consumers base their trust in pilots in part on ethnicity. Paper presented at the Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  • *Reid, K., M., Winter, S. R., Rice, S., & Mehta, R. (2014, January). How consistent are aviation students when taking the private pilot knowledge exam? Paper presented at the Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Media Attention

  • Interviewed for an article in Forbes: “While COVID-19 Batters the Airlines, Driverless Car Technology Marches On” by Stephen Rice (May, 2020).
  • Interviewed for an article on Vox.com: “Plane ticket prices are dropping because of the coronavirus” by Terry Nguyen (March, 2020).
  • Interviewed for an article in Forbes: “What Can Healthcare (And Other Fields) Learn From Aviation Safety?” by Stephen Rice (February, 2020).
  • Referenced in an article based on Research related to the Boeing 737 Max: “Boeing share price: Will Warren Buffett bid?” by OPTO (January, 2020).
  • Research was the focus of an article in Forbes: “Public Opinion On Boeing Has Stayed Remarkably Stable Throughout The 737 MAX Crisis.” by Stephen Rice (January, 2020).
  • Research was the focus of an article in Forbes: “Are Americans Warming Up To A Return Of The Boeing 737 MAX?” by Stephen Rice (September, 2019).
  • Research was the focus of an article in Forbes: “The Public Is Taking A Wait And See Attitude On The 737 MAX.” by Stephen Rice (March, 2019).
  • Research was the focus of an article in PsyPost: “New research indicates airline passengers are not ready for autonomous cockpits” by Eric W. Dolan (June, 2018).
  • Research was the focus of an article in Health Medicine Network “Study participants—especially women—less willing to ride in driverless ambulances” (March, 2017).
  • Research was the focus of an article in FIT Newsroom “New Study Shows Skepticism About Driverless Ambulances” (March, 2017).
  • Research was the focus of an article in Medical Xpress: “Study participants—especially women—less willing to ride in driverless ambulances” (March, 2017).
  • Research was the focus of an article in JEMS: “New Study Shows Skepticism About Driverless Ambulances” (March, 2017).

 

Recognition & Awards

  • 40 under 40 Delta Tau Delta Award                                                                                                   2022

  • Andrew W. Revay Jr. Award for Faculty Excellence in Service                                                           2021

  • Best Research Paper Award – AIS Affiliate Conference with the HCI International Conference       2021

  • Lifetime Achievement Philanthropy Award                                                                                       2020

  • Most Valuable Panther – Employee of the Month University Wide (April)                                           2020
  • Best Faculty of the Year Fall 2018 – Spring 2019 (ISSS)                                                                                   2019

  • National Gold Philanthropy Award                                                                                                                               2019, 2016

  • National Silver Philanthropy Award                                                                                                                2014,2017,2018

  • Forbes 30 Under 30: Science Finalist (Non-Winner)                                                                                          2017

  • James S. Eaton Award – Outstanding Recent Graduate                                                                                   2016

  • Alumnus of the Year - Delta Tau Delta                                                                                                                         2016

  • Second place award for Faculty and Graduate Research at AIRCON 2016, Phoenix, AZ             2016

  • ​Third place award for Faculty and Graduate Research at AIRCON 2016, Phoenix, AZ                 2016

  • Excellence in Graduate Presentation Award at the HFAP 2015, Daytona Beach, FL                      2015

  • First place award for Faculty and Graduate Research at AIRCON 2015, Phoenix, AZ                   2015

Research

Dr. Mehta’s research has predominantly focused on consumer perceptions as they relate to automation in the aviation industry. Dr. Mehta has also been involved in several other research endeavorers that span over 90 publications in the field of future cockpit design, pilot configurations, and space travel. He also has a specific expertise in System Wide Trust Theory, scale development, regression analyses and mediation analyses. 

Funded Research:

  •  Rice, S. & Mehta, R. (2015). A Design Projection for Future Flight Decks: The 2040 Cockpit. Research consulting contract – Jeppesen, A Boeing Company. $10,000.

Textbooks:

  •  Rice, S. & Mehta, R. (2017). Automation in Sociotechnical Systems. In Cuevas, H., Velazquez, J., & Dattel, A. (Eds). Human Factors in Practice: Concepts and Applications. CRC Press.

Research & Project Interests

Dr. Mehta’s research has predominantly focused on consumer perceptions as they relate to automation in the aviation industry. Dr. Mehta has also been involved in several other research endeavorers that span over 80 publications in the field of future cockpit design, pilot configurations, and space travel. He also has a specific expertise in System Wide Trust Theory, scale development, regression analyses and mediation analyses.