Michael Wiggins

Dr. Mike Wiggins is a professor in the Aeronautical Science Department. Dr. Wiggins holds an Ed.D. from Oklahoma State University, an MBA/A and a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle. He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, Flight Instructor Certificate, Ground Instructor Certificate and a Remote Pilot Certificate.  

Dr. Wiggins’ research focuses on flight training, flight operations, teaching and learning, and faculty development. He has worked on developing experimental pilot procedures for NASA’s Small Aircraft Transport System, researched how flight schools use PC-ATDs, developed a training course for qualified FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors in Technically Advanced Aircraft, numerous courses and projects for the FAA/Industry Training Standards Program, conducted a study with MITRE on a project evaluating airport infrastructure for low visibility approaches in Category A aircraft, and research into weather dissemination by ATC controllers and FAA training methodologies. He has managed approximately $1.16 million in funded research activities.

Dr. Wiggins was a member of the Flight Department for 18 years as a flight instructor, training manager, assistant chief flight instructor and assistant department chair. After moving to the Aeronautical Science Department, he was the chair twice, first from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2015 to 2021. He established the Daytona Beach Campus Center for Teaching and Learning as the interim director from 2002-2006. He was active in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association from 1990 to 2001, serving as the chair from 1995 to 2001. Dr. Wiggins is an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Among his various awards, he was presented the Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching from the International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, and the University Aviation Association's V. L. Laursen Award for College Teaching Excellence.

• Session 4A - Workforce Development: Critical Thinking & STEM (Michael Wiggins, Irene Miller, Tom Long, Thomas Long, Lyndsay Digneo, Chanda S. Sanders, Chanda Sanders, Jacob W. Parsons, Peter M. Dittmer) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2022)
• Session 3 - Pilot Supply - Addressing the Needs: Diversifying the Industry (Michael E. Wiggins Ed.D., Michael Wiggins, Debra Henneberry Ed.D., Debra Henneberry, Katie S. Kirkpatrick, Katie S. Kirkpatrick, Paul Ryder) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2020)
• Session 1: Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality/Mixed Reality in Aviation Training (Michael E. Wiggins Ed.D., Michael Wiggins, Lori Brown FRAeS, Lori Brown, Lulu Sun Ph.D., Lulu Sun, Stephanie G. Fussell) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2018)
• Session 4 (continued): Pilot Supply Problem (Darrin Greubel, Michael E. Wiggins Ed.D., Michael Wiggins, Becky Lutte, Paul Ryder, Geoff Murray Ph.D., Geoff Murray) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2017)
• A Fresh Look at the Industry and Collegiate Aviation Partnership: A Discussion about the Future (Michael E. Wiggins Ed.D., Michael Wiggins) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2017)
• Session 4: Pilot Supply Problem (Darrin Greubel, Michael E. Wiggins Ed.D., Michael Wiggins, Kristine Kiernan Ph.D., Kristine M. Kiernan, Don Menard, Matt Barton) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2017)

Bowyer, S., Albelo, J., & Wiggins, M. (2024). Pathways to retention for women in aviation education. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 42(2), 267-275.

Albelo, J. L. D., Bowyer, S., & Wiggins, M. E. (2024). Investigating retention solutions for women in aviation education and flight training. International Journal of Aviation Research, 16(1)

Thomas, R. L., Albelo, J. L., & Wiggins, M. (2023). Enhancing Pilot Training Through Virtual Reality: Recognizing and Mitigating Aviation Visual and Vestibular Illusions. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 10(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.58940/2374-6793.1839

Halleran, M. S, &Wiggins, M. E. (2010) Changing General Aviation Flight Training by Implementing FAA Industry Training Standards, International Journal of Applied Aviation Studies, Volume 10, Number 1.

Halleran, M. S. & Wiggins, M. E. (2009) FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS): Changing General Aviation Flight Training to Meet the Challenges of New Aircraft Technologies. Published in the Proceedings for the CEAS European Air and Space Conference, Manchester, UK October 2009.

Wiggins, M. E. (2009) FITS Generic ADS-B, TIS-B and FIS-B Syllabus
Version 1.0, Developed for Federal Aviation Administration, AFS-840

Wiggin,. M.E. (2007). Introduction to FITS Training Course. Developed for Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840.

Wiggins, M.E. (2007). Scenario Based Training Syllabus Training Course. Developed for Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840.

Wiggins, M.E. (2007) Issuing FITS Acceptance Training Course. Developed for Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840.

Wiggins, M.E. (2007). Scenario Based Practical Tests Training Course. Developed for Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840.

Wiggins, M.E. (2005) Technically Advanced Aircraft Qualification Course- Course Number 18830. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 540.

Wiggins, M.E. (2005) Technically Advanced Aircraft Prerequisite Study Course- Course Number 18803. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 540.

Wiggins, M.E., & Hendricks, A., (2004). FAA/Industry Training Standards Master Syllabus for Multifunction Displays. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840 as part of the FAA/Industry Training Standards Project.

Wiggins, M.E., & Hendricks, A., (2004). FAA/Industry Training Standards Master Syllabus for Global Position Systems with Moving Map Displays. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840 as part of the FAA/Industry Training Standards Project.

Wiggins, M.E., & Hendricks, A., (2004). FAA/Industry Training Standards Master Syllabus for Integrated Flight and Navigation Systems. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840 as part of the FAA/Industry Training Standards Project.

Wiggins, M.E., & Rohring, T., (2004). FAA/Industry Training Standards Master Syllabus for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast/Cockpit Display of Traffic Information. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration, AFS 840 as part of the FAA/Industry Training Standards Project.

Wiggins, M.E, & Rohring, T (2004). Baseline report: Development of FAA/industry training standards for ADS-B equipped aircraft. AFS-840 Federal Aviation Administration: Washington, D.C. AMTI Subcontract No. SK-03-18.

Wiggins, M.E. & Sargeant, B, (2004) Identification of FAA Documents That Need to be Aligned with the FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS) Program, Final report delivered to AFS-840 Federal Aviation Administration: Washington, D.C. AMTI Subcontract No. SK-03-18.

Wilson, I, & Wiggins, M.E. (2004) SATS experimental pilot procedures, Tasks 3.3.1, ERAU Air Traffic Management Research Laboratory & Southeast SATS Lab: Daytona Beach, Fl.

Wiggins, M. E., & Crognale, M. A. (2003). How training devices are actually being used by general aviation flight training organizations. Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration under Research Grant 2002-G-037. Funded for $96,000.

Wiggins, M. E. & Crognale, M. A. (2003) Use of flight training devices in general aviation training programs. Published in the Proceedings of the Federal Aviation Administration Office of the Chief Scientist for Human Factors (AAR-100) FY03 Aviation Maintenance, General Aviation, and Vertical Flight program review. Washington, D.C.

Wiggins, M. E., Hampton, S., Morin, D. Larseen, A., & Troncoso, A. (2002). A study of training devices used by flight training organizations. Prepared for The University Aviation Association under FAA Contract No. DTFA 01-01-X-02051. Funded for $23,000.

Hampton, S., Wiggins, M. E., Larssen, A., & Troncoso, A. (2002) A study of training devices in use at University Aviation Association member institutions. Prepared for the University Aviation Association under FAA contract No. DFTA 01-01-X-02051. Daytona Beach, FL: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Brady, T., Koh, M. L., Richey, F. D., & Wiggins, M. E., (2001). Personnel study. Prepared under contract for the National Business Aviation Association. Washington, DC: National Business Aviation Association

Wiggins, M. E. (1998). Distribution of psychological types among students in a professional pilot baccalaureate degree program and associated attitudes towards teaching. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma State University.

Wiggins, M. E. & Parker, N. (1998) Psychological type among aeronautical science students: A preliminary study of type for use in developing effective teaching strategies for a technical major. In Counter Attack: Rising to the Challenges of Education, The Role of Psychological Type. Gainesville, FL: Center for Applications of Psychological Type.