From Engineering to Ethics

When Andrew Fedor (’28) arrived at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he knew he wanted to design airplanes.

Like many aerospace engineering students, he was driven by a passion for aviation, innovation and solving complex problems. What he didn't expect was that one humanities course would transform the way he thinks about engineering and ultimately lead him to present research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).

Now a second-year Aerospace Engineering student on the Aeronautical track at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus, Fedor has discovered that understanding flight isn't just about aerodynamics or aircraft design. It's about understanding the people, cultures and ethical questions that shape the future of aviation.

"I chose Embry-Riddle to be surrounded by like-minded peers ... I was inspired by the opportunity to learn in such a specialized environment and community,” he shared.

Building More Than Airplanes

Originally from Pennsylvania near Philadelphia, Fedor has long been fascinated by aviation and engineering.

"My passion for designing and building, combined with my interest in aviation, led me to pursue aerospace engineering," he said. "I hope to apply my engineering knowledge toward advancements that benefit humanity."

That goal remains at the center of his education, but at Embry-Riddle, he found opportunities to explore aviation from perspectives he hadn't anticipated.

One of those opportunities came through Flight and Culture (HU 145), taught by Dr. Evan DeCarlo.

"As an aerospace engineering major, I was naturally drawn to the course because it explored my passion through literature and film, offering a unique perspective," he said.

Throughout the semester, students examined how flight has been portrayed throughout history — from Ovid's Icarus to Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso and The Wind Rises. Rather than focusing on the mechanics of aviation, the course challenged students to analyze flight as a symbol of freedom, exploration and even oppression.

"Through engaging with the text, discussing with the class and forming arguments in journal entries, students learn how flight has been used as a motif in many ways across different cultures," he explained.

Seeing Aviation Through a Different Lens

For Fedor, the course reshaped how he views both aviation and his future career.

"By interacting with texts throughout history and across cultures, I saw how aviation is associated with freedom, ambition, militarization, oppression, exploration, knowledge, technological advancement and even the corruption of dreams," he said.

More importantly, it changed how he thinks about his own role as an engineer.

"Through textual analysis, I saw how my passion for aerospace engineering can influence humanity and culture in new ways that I hadn't considered before, reshaping how I view my role as an aspiring engineer."

That perspective became the foundation for an undergraduate research project centered on Miyazaki's acclaimed animated film The Wind Rises.

The film follows Jiro Horikoshi, the engineer behind the Mitsubishi Zero fighter aircraft, exploring the tension between pursuing one's dreams and confronting the consequences of technological innovation during wartime.

"The film follows the story of an aeronautical engineer who pursues his passion for engineering and flight with vigor," Fedor said. "I was compelled by Miyazaki's portrayal of a man who shares my dream: to build beautiful airplanes."

Research That Goes Beyond Engineering

Using the analytical framework developed in the course, Fedor examined how Miyazaki uses flight as a recurring motif to explore ethical responsibility and the unintended consequences of innovation.

"My research emphasizes that design decisions are not isolated from the world around them," he said. "Engineering work can carry consequences that extend far beyond technical achievement."

One phrase from the film became central to his research: "Airplanes are beautiful, cursed dreams."

To Fedor, those words capture both the beauty and complexity of aviation.

"Flight has always been, and will always remain, beautiful," he said. "However, this dream is also cursed, as planes are inevitably twisted into instruments of war. Therefore, this phrase encapsulates the unique tragedy linked to building airplanes."

His research ultimately argues that engineering cannot be separated from the ethical, historical and cultural forces surrounding it — a lesson he plans to carry throughout his career.

"It encourages me to approach engineering not only as a technical field, but as one that is deeply connected to cultural, ethical and historical contexts," he said.

Presenting Research on the National Stage

Fedor's work earned him the opportunity to present at the NCUR, where students from across the country showcase original research spanning every academic discipline.

"I am honored for the opportunity to share my research and engage with so many unique perspectives at this national conference," he said. "This experience highlights the value of interdisciplinary inquiry, showing how engineering perspectives can meaningfully contribute to humanities research."

Presenting his work to a national audience has become a defining moment of his college experience.

"Taking my research to the NCUR has been my most meaningful academic experience thus far," Fedor said. "It was incredibly rewarding and inspiring to contribute my own work while also learning from so many other students from different fields."

He credits Embry-Riddle with providing opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom, encouraging students to ask bigger questions and pursue research that crosses traditional academic boundaries.

"Seeing my work as part of a larger discourse is motivating and provides a stronger sense of purpose," he said. "I am inspired by how I can contribute to an evolving body of scholarship and look forward to pursuing more opportunities to do so."

Looking Ahead

As Fedor continues his journey at Embry-Riddle, he hopes to combine technical expertise with thoughtful, ethical decision making as an aerospace engineer.

"In my future goals, I hope to apply this interdisciplinary thinking to design work that is both innovative and ethically informed, considering the broader impact of technological development," he said.

For prospective students considering Aerospace Engineering, his advice is simple: Don't be afraid to explore beyond your major.

"I encourage other students to start by reading or watching texts centered around flight," he said. "Analyzing how different creators utilize the motif of flight develops the skills needed to engage with the intersection of technology and culture."

Fedor’s journey shows what makes the Embry-Riddle experience unique. Students don't just learn how to build the future of aviation — they learn to think critically about the impact their work will have on the world.

For Fedor, that's a lesson that will stay with him long after graduation, and one that began with a willingness to see flight from an entirely new perspective.