Love at First Flight: Equestrian Show Jumper Tackles Urban Air Mobility

From Show Jumping to Vertical Lift-Off

“I grew up in Antalya, Turkey, which is a gorgeous Mediterranean city surrounded by the sea,” Pelin Elden (‘25) begins, enthusing like a travel host. “What I miss most about Turkey is spending time with my family and friends the way I used to.”

Picture this for a hometown: crystal-clear waters against jagged mountains — the Turquoise Coast, an ancient Roman port which is popular for good reason. The Mediterranean Sea sparkles throughout Elden's story, setting the stage for an aeronautics journey that began far from Florida, where she now lives while pursuing her M.S. in Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Worldwide.

Her passion for flight began at age 12 when she flew in a glider with the Turkish Aeronautical Association. Later, a scholarship to attend a summer camp gave her the chance to fly a Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

It was love at first flight.

Her curiosity only grew from there. Through simulations, remote-controlled aircraft and aviation clubs, Elden immersed herself in every opportunity to stay connected to the skies. By high school, she was already researching universities, and one name surfaced again and again: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The coordinates were set, and her flight plan was cleared.

A Program With a Personal Connection

Before joining Embry-Riddle, Elden earned her B.S. in Aviation Management in Turkey, where education depends heavily on standardized national exams.

“I was fortunate to attend an American-culture high school, but in the end, my entire college path still depended on one exam.”

In contrast, she finds U.S. education more decentralized and experience-based: “ One thing I really appreciate here is how accessible professors are. I can reach out to them anytime, ask questions and they’re always eager and willing to help. That personal connection makes a huge difference.”

Though Embry-Riddle once felt like a far-off dream, she knew she wanted to study alongside others who shared her passion.

After a metaphorical tarmac delay while preparing for her professional take-off, she realized that although she always loved flying, the airline path wasn’t the right fit for her. Instead, she changed course.

How It All Works Together

At Embry-Riddle, Elden’s studies align directly with her test prep for her FAA helicopter license. Group projects, she says, are invaluable: “It’s great to work alongside classmates who all have different backgrounds. Some have airline career experience; others are from engineering.”

Her focus is aviation safety. Courses such as Safety Program Management, System Safety and Accident Investigation and Analysis taught her systems thinking — an invaluable skill in any aeronautical field.

“It’s not just about understanding how things work individually — it’s about understanding how they work together at a higher systems-level of thinking. I can apply the perspective to almost anything.”

She has also contributed to faculty-led research, including a study with Dr. Edwin Odisho using Bayesian statistical models to map accident risk factors in helicopters.

“My goal was to see how this method could help identify patterns and underlying causes, so we can better anticipate and prevent accidents.”

Safety First!

System Safety was her first Embry-Riddle class and her introduction to accident analysis. It reshaped her thinking.

“Once you learn to examine things from different perspectives — whether that’s safety, human psychology or operational design — your understanding develops on a much deeper level. The Systems Safety mindset fits perfectly into my career.”

Organizations like The Boeing Company, she notes, seek system safety engineers who combine technical skill with systems-level thinking.

Mission-critical flight systems — the technologies aircraft depend on for safe operation — are central to urban air mobility. Elden is especially drawn to helicopter fly-by-wire systems, which provide redundancy and reliability essential for public trust in urban air travel.

During her studies, Elden encountered several profound lessons that shaped her perspective on aeronautics, including a research project in her Aviation/Aerospace Safety Program Management class, MSAS 621, where she studied fly-by-wire helicopters.

“I dove into NASA’s Risk Management Handbook, and it allowed me to see how the risk management concepts apply directly to safety and performance in fly-by-wire systems in terms of risk assessment. Also, my professor’s feedback really pushed me to think deeper.”

Because Time Matters

Urban air mobility remains a debated concept, but Elden believes its promise is transformative as it shortens travel within cities and across regions. She sees urban air mobility as more than a convenience — it’s an equalizer.

“In the simplest terms, urban air mobility is using advanced technology in aviation transportation. . . in a variety of use cases.” Beyond reducing commuter gridlock, it can expedite business, emergency response and even medical transport.

This transformation requires a shift in mindset and technology. “The push for this comes directly from technological advancements like electric propulsion, autonomous systems and high-speed, low-latency networks that make these ideas possible.”

Of course, challenges remain: building infrastructure, developing vertiports, updating air traffic control and modernizing regulations to keep pace with innovations. But Elden is optimistic, saying, “Here in the U.S., we have the right spirit, the right ecosystem and regulatory environment that can support this progress.”

For Elden, the argument hinges on one truth: time is the ultimate resource. “It should matter to people because we’re living in a world where time matters. If we could take a trip that normally takes an hour and make it 20 minutes, that’s huge.”

Do It Relentlessly

For international students adjusting to new cultures, Elden offers advice, “See adaptation as part of the process, and stay connected with people — that’s everything.”

For early-career professionals, she emphasizes clarity and persistence: “Ask yourself, ‘What would I do if I knew I wouldn’t fail?’ And do that relentlessly ... Every little action matters, and consistency sets you apart.”

From Here to Eternity

Elden looks ahead with excitement, “We’re entering a new era in air transportation driven by rapid innovation in technology, systems design and even space flight.”

Much like the show jumping obstacle courses she once navigated, she embraces the hurdles facing urban air mobility. Each obstacle is a challenge to be cleared with equal persistence and vision.

“My dream job would be a place where I can take on complex problems, keep learning every step of the way and work in a dynamic environment, while helping shape the future of the aerospace industry and continuing to fly helicopters.”

Her ambitions also extend beyond the atmosphere. “I see space as uncharted territory. The future isn’t predetermined — we must create it.” Ready to get your dream airborne? Learn more about Worldwide Campus’s College of Aviation, or explore more than 100 degree programs Embry-Riddle offers.