Training & Certification
Ricci Family and Flexjet Endow Chairs Boost Aviation Innovation
Kenn and Pamela Ricci fund two endowed chairs at Embry-Riddle to advance aviation, aerospace education, and research innovation.
Ricci Family and Flexjet Fuel Future of Aviation with Endowed Chairs at Embry-Riddle
In a significant move to propel the aviation, aerospace, and space sectors forward, the Kenn and Pamela Ricci family has established two endowed faculty chairs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. This philanthropic endeavor aims to cement the university’s role as a global leader in aviation and aerospace higher education by fostering an environment of bold thinking and Innovation. The establishment of these chairs represents a pivotal investment in the intellectual capital required to solve the industry’s most pressing challenges and to educate the next generation of pioneers.
The initiative is not just about funding, it’s a strategic effort to attract and retain top-tier faculty who are leaders in their respective fields. By creating the “Ricci Family Chair for Aviation, Aerospace, or Space Innovation” and the “Flexjet Chair for Aviation, Aerospace, or Space Innovation,” the Ricci family is providing the resources necessary for groundbreaking research and development. This move aligns with Embry-Riddle’s centennial comprehensive campaign, “Imagine What’s Next,” which emphasizes investing in top talent to expand the university’s research capabilities and enhance its academic offerings.
Kenn Ricci, Chairman of Flexjet and a newly appointed member of Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees, has a long-standing history of investing in transformational aviation technologies. His vision is to cultivate a problem-solving ethos among students, which he believes is the bedrock of innovation. This substantial contribution underscores a commitment to not only advancing the industry but also ensuring that students are equipped with the critical thinking skills needed to lead it into the future. The impact of these endowed chairs is expected to resonate for generations, shaping the trajectory of aviation and space exploration.
A Strategic Investment in Talent and Innovation
The establishment of endowed chairs is a time-honored tradition in academia for recognizing and supporting faculty excellence. At Embry-Riddle, these two new chairs will provide a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining superstar educators and researchers. Each position comes with a stipend and dedicated funds for research, allowing the chair holders the freedom to pursue ambitious projects that could lead to significant breakthroughs in aviation, aerospace, or space technology. This structure is designed to create a hub of innovation within the university, attracting not only leading academics but also promising students who want to learn from the best in the field.
This philanthropic action by the Ricci family is a testament to their long-term vision for the industry. Kenn Ricci’s career, from pilot to entrepreneur, has been marked by a continuous drive for advancement. His company, Flexjet, has been at the forefront of adopting new technologies, such as the recent order for the Otto Phantom 3500, an aircraft utilizing laminar flow technology to drastically reduce fuel consumption. This forward-thinking approach is now being embedded into the academic fabric of Embry-Riddle, ensuring that the university remains at the cutting edge of research and education.
The support from university leadership has been overwhelmingly positive. Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler hailed the gift as a “transformative moment” for the institution, enabling it to bolster its research and development efforts and solidify its reputation. Similarly, Board of Trustees Chairman Mori Hosseini praised Kenn Ricci’s “visionary leadership and extraordinary generosity,” noting that this contribution sets a new standard for philanthropy in aviation and aerospace education. These endorsements highlight the profound impact the endowed chairs are expected to have on the university’s mission and the industry as a whole.
Fostering a Legacy of Philanthropy and Progress
The Ricci family’s commitment to education and research is not a new development. Their history of philanthropy includes a significant endowed chair at University Hospital’s Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland to support cystic fibrosis research, established in 2007. Furthermore, in 2017, Kenn and Pamela Ricci made a landmark $100 million unrestricted gift to the University of Notre Dame. This pattern of giving demonstrates a deep-seated belief in the power of institutions to drive progress and create a better future.
Pamela Ricci articulated the motivation behind their latest contribution, stating, “What better way to elevate the caliber of faculty for Embry-Riddle students and create a better future for our children’s children than creating these endowed chairs?” This sentiment captures the essence of their philanthropic philosophy: investing in education is an investment in the future. By empowering educators, they aim to inspire students and foster an environment where innovation can flourish for decades to come.
The timing of this gift is also significant, coming shortly after Kenn Ricci joined the Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees in March 2024. It serves as a powerful statement of his commitment to the university’s goals and his active role in shaping its future. The endowed chairs are a foundational element of Embry-Riddle’s “Imagine What’s Next” campaign, which seeks to prepare the institution for its next century of leadership in aviation and aerospace.
“We want to encourage bold thinking about the growth and advancement of aviation. In creating these two chairs…we are supporting the kind of educators who will instill an ethos of problem-solving in their students, which inevitably will lead to innovation.”, Kenn Ricci, Flexjet Chairman
Conclusion: Charting the Course for Future Generations
The establishment of the Ricci Family and Flexjet endowed chairs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks a significant milestone in the advancement of aviation and aerospace education. This strategic investment is poised to attract world-class talent, spur cutting-edge research, and cultivate a new generation of innovators. By providing dedicated resources for faculty leaders, the university is better equipped to tackle the complex challenges of the industry and to maintain its position at the forefront of technological and educational excellence.
Looking ahead, the long-term impact of this initiative will likely be seen in the breakthroughs and the leaders that emerge from Embry-Riddle. The emphasis on a “problem-solving ethos” is crucial in an industry that is constantly evolving, facing challenges from sustainability to supersonic travel. The generosity and vision of the Kenn and Pamela Ricci family have set a new benchmark for philanthropy in the sector, creating a powerful legacy that will undoubtedly fuel progress and inspire excellence for many years to come.
FAQ
Question: What are the names of the two endowed chairs established at Embry-Riddle?
Answer: The two chairs are named the “Ricci Family Chair for Aviation, Aerospace, or Space Innovation” and the “Flexjet Chair for Aviation, Aerospace, or Space Innovation.”
Question: What is the main purpose of these endowed chairs?
Answer: The primary goal is to foster innovation in aviation, aerospace, and space by attracting top-tier faculty, enhancing research and development, and instilling a problem-solving ethos in students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Question: Who is Kenn Ricci?
Answer: Kenn Ricci is the Chairman of Flexjet and a principal of Directional Aviation Capital. He is a prominent figure in the aviation industry and was appointed to the Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees in March 2024.
Sources: Flexjet Press Release
Photo Credit: FlexJet
Training & Certification
Merlin Inc Earns New Zealand Part 146 Design Organization Certificate
Merlin, Inc. receives a Part 146 certificate from CAANZ, gaining internal design approval authority for its autonomous flight systems.
Merlin, Inc. has secured a Part 146 Aircraft Design Organization certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), granting the company internal delegation authority to approve specific aircraft design changes.
Announced in a press release on August 24, 2026, the certification allows the Boston-based aerospace technology company to bypass external design organizations for certain regulatory approvals. This milestone is designed to reduce external cost and schedule risks as Merlin advances the commercialization of its autonomous flight systems across multiple aircraft platforms.
Streamlining the certification pathway
The Part 146 certificate is not restricted to a single aircraft type or program. It establishes a foundational regulatory framework that Merlin can apply across various certification projects. By bringing design approval capabilities in-house, the company aims to accelerate the deployment of its Merlin Pilot autonomous flight system.
Merlin Chief Executive Officer Matt George emphasized the economic and operational importance of the certification for the company’s long-term production strategy.
“We’re building one autonomy stack that goes on many aircraft, which means the cost of certifying the next one matters more than the cost of certifying the first,” George stated. “Owning the capability to deliver design approval is how that curve bends. It’s a meaningful capability, not a side benefit.”
Regulatory progress and defense applications
The Part 146 designation follows a series of recent regulatory advancements for Merlin in New Zealand. On August 6, 2026, the company announced it had achieved Stage of Involvement (SOI) 3 with CAANZ for its autonomous flight technology. Merlin also recently concluded a key issue paper with the regulator regarding the certification approach for its artificial intelligence and machine learning-based natural language processing capabilities.
Merlin Chief Technology Officer Tim Burns noted that the certification reflects a rigorous evaluation by the national aviation authority.
“CAANZ assessed how we qualify our engineers, how our processes work, and how we hold ourselves accountable, then concluded we could carry that responsibility,” Burns said. “That’s a durable statement about the quality and maturity of our engineering organization and process.”
Beyond its commercial regulatory efforts, Merlin is concurrently developing autonomous capabilities for military applications. The company holds an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) with a ceiling value of $105 million to integrate its autonomy program into the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.
AirPro News analysis
Securing a Part 146 certificate from a recognized civil aviation authority like CAANZ represents a critical maturation step for an aerospace startup. For companies developing novel technologies such as autonomous flight systems, reliance on third-party design organizations often introduces significant bottlenecks. By obtaining internal delegation authority, we view Merlin as positioning itself to iterate and certify its systems more rapidly. CAANZ is known for its forward-leaning approach to novel aviation technologies, making New Zealand a strategic testing and certification ground that often paves the way for subsequent approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Sources: Merlin, Inc.
Photo Credit: Merlin, Inc.
Training & Certification
RCAF Integrates First CT-153 Juno Under FAcT Program
Canada’s RCAF activates its first CT-153 Juno helicopter at Southport, launching the 11.2B CAD Future Aircrew Training program.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has officially integrated its first Airbus H135 helicopter, designated the CT-153 Juno, into its training fleet at Southport, Manitoba. The milestone marks the operational launch of Canada’s 11.2 billion CAD Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, a 25-year initiative to consolidate and modernize military pilot instruction.
In an update published on August 17, 2026, Airbus Helicopters confirmed the aircraft’s readiness for advanced rotary-wing training. The initial Delivery occurred on June 17, 2026, following test flights and livery reveals at the Airbus facility in Fort Erie, Ontario. The CT-153 Juno will replace the RCAF’s legacy CH-139 and CT-146 Helicopters, serving as the primary platform for Advanced Flying Training – Rotary Wing operations.
Consolidating Canada’s training ecosystem
The FAcT program represents a structural overhaul of Canadian military aviation training. Managed by SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, the Contracts brings previously disparate RCAF and contracted training pipelines under a single umbrella. SkyAlyne has ordered 19 CT-153 Juno helicopters as part of a broader 71-aircraft fleet renewal.
Deliveries of the remaining 18 helicopters are scheduled to continue through 2028. Maintenance and in-service support for the rotary-wing segment will be handled by Canadian Helicopters Limited (CHL).
SkyAlyne General Manager Kevin Lemke described the initiative as a generational shift for the government.
“The Future Aircrew Training programme is basically a reset of everything to do with RCAF aircrews training. It’s the largest services contract in the history of the Canadian government,” Lemke stated.
Technical specifications and historical homage
The CT-153 Juno is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B3 engines and features the Airbus Helionix Avionics suite. The platform is designed to transition student pilots to advanced operational aircraft.
Colonel Lauri Denis of the RCAF emphasized the operational relevance of the new fleet, noting that the aircraft provides exactly what modern aircrews need to train on before moving to advanced platforms and operational units.
The aircraft’s visual design and nomenclature carry specific historical weight. The name “Juno” commemorates Canada’s role in the D-Day landings at Juno Beach. The helicopter features a “Reflect Forward” livery that combines dark blue with high-visibility “training yellow.” This paint scheme honors the Second World War-era British Commonwealth Air Training Program while providing necessary contrast for training flights over diverse Canadian terrain.
AirPro News analysis
We view the activation of the CT-153 Juno as a critical de-risking milestone for the FAcT program. Transitioning from legacy platforms like the CH-139 to a glass-cockpit, Helionix-equipped H135 bridges a significant technological gap for RCAF student pilots. By aligning the training environment more closely with frontline operational assets, the RCAF can likely reduce the time and cost associated with type-conversion training at operational squadrons. The selection of domestic partners like Pratt & Whitney Canada and the final assembly in Fort Erie underscores the Canadian government’s strategy of leveraging defense procurement to sustain the domestic aerospace industrial base.
Sources: Airbus Newsroom
Photo Credit: Airbus
Training & Certification
US Army Awards $10B Flight School Next Contract to Team M1
The U.S. Army awarded a $10B, 26-year contract to Team M1 to train up to 1,500 helicopter pilots annually using the Robinson R66.
The U.S. Army has awarded a $10 billion, 26-year contract to a consortium led by M1 Support Services to overhaul its initial Helicopters pilot training program at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The August 13, 2026, award transitions the military branch to a contractor-owned, contractor-operated model utilizing the single-engine Robinson R66.
Announced in a press release by M1 Support Services, the single-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract falls under the Army’s Flight School Next (FSN) program. The initiative will replace the current twin-engine Airbus UH-72A Lakota fleet with the Robinson R66, which will carry the military designation TH-66 Sage. The shift aims to reduce costs and refocus student pilots on fundamental aviation skills before they transition to advanced operational aircraft.
The Team M1 consortium and contract scope
Team M1 includes prime contractor M1 Support Services, Robinson Helicopter Company, Quantum Helicopters, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), and the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation (UNDAF). Under the contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) framework, the consortium will provide the aircraft, maintenance, flight simulators, and flight instruction.
This consolidation allows the U.S. Army to scale training based on annual throughput requirements. The program is projected to train between 800 and 1,500 new pilots each year. The Contracts period of performance runs through August 12, 2052. George Krivo, Chairman and CEO of M1 Support Services, stated the company will deliver an integrated training solution to develop proficient aviators on time and on budget.
Transitioning from the Lakota to the TH-66 Sage
The Airbus UH-72A Lakota has served as the primary Training aircraft at the installation historically known as Fort Rucker since 2015. Military officials eventually determined the twin-engine Lakota was too advanced and expensive for initial entry rotary-wing training. The Army Contracting Command received 11 bids for the FSN program. In the final evaluation phases, Team M1 competed against proposals from Lockheed Martin and Bell Textron Inc., which pitched the Bell 505.
The selection of the Robinson R66 marks a return to a single-engine trainer for the Army.
“This decision gives the Army a proven training platform that truly prepares Army aviators, made in America, and ready to fly today. Reliable and cost effective, it is built to deliver readiness at a fraction of the cost of current platforms,” said David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company.
AirPro News analysis
We note that the U.S. Army’s decision to adopt a COCO model for Flight School Next mirrors a broader military trend of outsourcing non-combat training infrastructure to commercial providers. By shifting the capital expenditure of aircraft procurement and the logistical burden of maintenance to Team M1, the Army can insulate its training pipeline from the procurement bottlenecks that often affect organic military acquisition programs. The selection of the Robinson R66 over the Bell 505 represents a significant victory for Robinson Helicopter Company in the military training sector. This Strategy establishes a long-term revenue stream and validates the R66 platform for high-volume institutional training.
Sources: M1 Support Services
Photo Credit: M1 Support Services
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