Message from the Head of Aviation

As we start 2021, we hope the year improves for the aviation industry.  At Griffith Aviation we look forward to the new academic year starting in early March.  Please see the information below on our new lecturer Dr Xiaoyu Wu and a current WIL (Work Integrated Learning) placement student Noah Smyth, as well as scholarship and professional entry opportunities.  Enjoy the issue.

Very best wishes moving forward.

Professor Tim Ryley

Meet our new staff member - Dr Xiaoyu Wu

What is your career background?
Originally I am from southwest China.  I did my undergraduate degree with the Civil Aviation Flight University of China, one of the country's best aviation schools.  After graduation, I was going to be an air traffic controller in Shanghai; however, I got admission to further my study in the United States during my initial training.

I completed my Master's degree in Aviation Operation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's best aviation school.  I then finished my PhD with St Louis University which has a very high reputation in the United States aviation industry.  Of course, I ended up as an educator and researcher in the aviation field.  I taught for two years in the United States and helped the program by establishing many industry connections.

What are some of your career highlights?
The first highlight of my research career was actually related to Brisbane and Australia.  In 2012, I worked with Lockheed Martin and many other providers to demonstrate a flight data object exchange experiment crossing the Pacific Ocean for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The partner included Tokyo Centre and Brisbane Centre.

Later on, I moved to use machine learning to understand safety reports better.  The team I worked with was the first team to use natural language processing techniques to analyse the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) reports and have a significant impact.

What courses will you be teaching at Griffith Aviation?
In Trimester 3, I will be teaching the Flight Procedures course and advising students on a project course.

What are you most looking forward to at Griffith Aviation?
I believe the aviation team at Griffith is one of the best in the world.  I am looking forward to working with my colleagues together to discover the future of aviation.  Of course, I am excited about students here too.  I want to grow with the students together.  I help them, and they help me as well.

Any tips or advice for students?
Commitment.  Commitment to the subject you really like.

WIL Partnership - Noah Smyth

(L) Noah Smyth and (R) Keith Tonkin

Noah is currently in his final trimester of the Bachelor of Aviation Management degree and has been fortunate enough to take advantage of the WIL placement offered by Aviation Projects and Avistra Aviation Consulting.
Read more about Noah's experience here.

Aviation Internships
Spending time in the workplace whilst at university builds valuable employability skills highly sought after by employers.  At Griffith University we offer a specific aviation-tailored internship course for both Bachelor of Aviation and Bachelor of Aviation Management students.  Connecting with industry brings valuable experience to our students. If you are interested in supporting our programs and students please contact Dr. Bojana Spasojevic bojana.spasojevic@griffith.edu.au for further information.

Professional Entry to Aviation

We have an increasing number of aviation industry professionals who study with us part-time and fully on-line.  Relevant aviation industry experience and qualifications can count towards the eligibility criterion via Professional Entry on the following programs:

Bachelor of Aviation

Bachelor of Aviation Management

Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management

Check out the details and feel free to contact our friendly Aviation admin team

Griffith Aviation Scholarship and Award Recipients 2020

Australian Federation of Air Pilots and Australian Air Pilots Mutual Benefit Fund

Griffith Aviation Student & Alumni Network

​Stay in touch with your cohort and keep up to date with the industry by joining our Griffith Aviation Student and Alumni Network on Linkedin.

News, stories and more

​Do you have a story, an event, publications or information you want to share that will interest our members? Please email GriffithAviation@griffith.edu.au. Your article should be approx. 500 words and please include a photograph (content may be edited).