Oklahoma State professor recognized for excellence in aviation education

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University professor Dr. Jon Loffi was awarded the prestigious William A. Wheatley Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to aerospace education during the University Aviation Association's 77th annual Collegiate Aviation Education Conference.

Presented at the UAA Awards of Excellence Banquet on Sept. 27 at the Hilton Memphis Hotel, the award serves as the organization's faculty lifetime achievement award for educators with more than a decade of experience in aviation education.

Loffi, professor of aviation and space, has built a distinguished career combining classroom leadership with cutting-edge research in unmanned aviation systems. As the undergraduate program coordinator and faculty advisor to the Flying Aggies student organization, he has helped shape the next generation of aviation professionals.

His research portfolio includes classified work with the Department of Defense on small unmanned aviation systems (sUAS) countermeasures in collaboration with OSU's School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. Loffi also leads research on pilot visibility and collision avoidance between manned aircraft and sUAS in national airspace, operating under a special FAA exemption.

"This award means a lot to me, as I was recognized by my colleagues in my academic discipline as having made outstanding contributions to aerospace education," Loffi said. "I am incredibly honored to have been selected by this group of educators. It is a testament to the efforts of my peers and collaborative networks that supported my professional journey."

The Wheatley Award honors the legacy of William A. Wheatley, a pioneering figure in aviation education who transformed the relationship between educational institutions and the aviation industry. After retiring as dean of the State Teacher's College in Edinboro, Pa., in 1940, Wheatley became Director of the School and College Service Department at United Airlines, where his educational materials reached over 300,000 students in a single year.

Recipients of the award must be active UAA members nominated by their peers, demonstrating both longevity in the field and significant impact on aviation education. The award ceremony, sponsored by Piedmont Airlines, brought together leading aviation educators, researchers and professionals to celebrate excellence in aviation academia.

The annual award underscores UAA's commitment to recognizing educators who advance aviation education and successfully bridge the gap between academic institutions and the aviation industry, continuing Wheatley's enduring legacy of innovation in aerospace education.

Loffi's contributions to aerospace education reflects OSU’s commitment to excellence in aviation education. His research and dedication to student success exemplify the program’s mission to prepare the next generation of aviation professionals while advancing the frontiers of aerospace knowledge.

Story By: Jillian Walker | jillian.walker@okstate.edu