Mehta, Rian
Personal Overview
Dr. Mehta has an extensive background in aviation research. Over the last several years, he was been involved in multiple aspects of the aviation industry, from airport operations and management, to Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, as well as future airline cockpit design research. He is also a commercial rated pilot. Dr. Mehta in addition to past roles involving teaching, was the Assistant Managing Editor for the International Journal of Aviation Sciences.
Educational Background
- FAA Commercial Multi/Single Pilot’s certification with instrument rating
- FAA Certified Small Unmanned Aerial System Remote Pilot (Part 107)
- B.S., Aviation Management with Flight, Florida Institute of Technology
- M.S.A., Applied Aviation Safety, Florida Institute of Technology
- Ph.D., Aviation Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology
- GSP Certified – Graduate Safety Practitioner under Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Professional Experience
Additional Duties
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University Academic Program Review Committee
- University QEP III Development Committee
- Chairman ACITC - Academic Information Technology Committee (April 2019-April 2020)
- Academic Program Assessment Committee (APAC) Member
- Academic Standing Committee Administrator, College of Aeronautics
- Compliance and Assessment Coordinator, College of Aeronautics
- New Faculty Mentorship Program, College of Aeronautics
- Faculty Senator
- Greek Alumni Advisory Board
- Reviewing panelist Department of Defense’s SMART Scholarship
- Assistant Managing Editor - International Journal of Aviation Sciences
- Academic Information Technology Committee (ACITC) Chairman
- UAS Minor Chair
- Internship Chair - College of Aeronautics
- University Disciplinary Committee (UDC) Faculty Member
- Advising Training Committee - College of Aeronautics
- Publications Committee - College of Aeronautics
- Advisor/Division Vice President - Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Current Courses
- AVM 1000 – Introduction to Aviation
- AHF 1101 – Introduction to Aviation Psychology
- AVT 2303 – Aviation Career Planning
- AHF 3101 – Introduction to Human Factors
- AVT 4002 – Aviation Research
- AVS 4000 – Aviation Physiology Lab
- AVS 4201 – Flight Observation lab
- AVS 4304 – Aviation Security
- AHF 5101 – Human Factors in Man Machine Systems (Grad)
- AVT 5000 – Airspace Safety (Grad)
- AVS 5206 – Aviation Security (Grad)
- AVM 5998 – Adv Aviation Research Project (Grad)
- AHF5990 – Directed Research (Grad)
- AHF 5991 – Sensation and Perception (Grad)
Selected Publications
Referred Scholarly Work (Non-Exhaustive, * indicates student author):
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- Sharma, V., Carroll, M., & Mehta, R. (Accepted, 2025). A Theoretical Model to Understand Flight Instructors’ Safety Behaviors in the United States: Through Personality Traits, Self-Efficacy, Risk Perception, and Safety Climate. Collegiate Aviation Review International.
- *Osman, M., *Sharma, V., *Ficke, C., Mehta, R., Wheeler, B.E., & Carroll, M. (2022). Predicting Pilot-in-training Success and Persistence in a Private South Eastern United States University. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 40(2) 146-164. Retrieved from http://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view/8809/8436
- Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., Tamilselvan, G., Anania, E. C., & Milner, M. N. (2021). Identifying the factors that predict a consumer’s willingness to ride in various types of driverless vehicles. Technology in Society, 64, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101476
- Ward, K. A., Winter, S. R., Cross, D. S., Robbins, J. M., Mehta, R., Doherty, S., & Rice, S. (2020). Safety systems, culture, and willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis: A multi-study and mediation analysis. The Journal of Air Transport Management, 91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101975
- Mehta, R., Rice, S., Deaton, J., & Winter, S. R. (2019). Creating a Prediction Model of Passenger Preference between Legacy and Low-Cost Airlines. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3, 100075.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2019.100075
- Mehta, R., *Chauhan, B., *Edwards, M., Rosser, T., Dunbar, V., & Rice, S. (2019). Does a SWT Reverse Contagion Effect Exist from Humans to Automation. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 37(1), 90-106. https://doi.org/10.22488/okstate.19.100206
- Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Mehta, R., & *Ragbir, N. K. (2019). What factors predict the type of person who is willing to fly in an autonomous commercial airplane? Journal of Air Transport Management, 75, 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2018.12.008
- *Marte, D. A., *Anania, E. C., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Milner, M. N., Winter, S. R., *Walters, N., *Capps, J., & *Ragbir, N. (2018). What type of person supports 24/7 police drones over neighborhoods? A regression analysis. Journal of Unmanned Aerial Systems, 4(1), 61-70.
- Winter, S.R., Keebler, J. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., & *Baugh, B.S. (2018). Patient perceptions on the use of an autonomous emergency medical transport: An affective perspective. Transportation Research Part F. 58, 431-441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.06.033
- Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R., & *Eudy, M. (2017). Perceptions of Cockpit Configurations. International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 27(1-2), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508414.2017.1365609
- Mehta, R., Rice, S., & Winter, S.R. (2017). How many planes can one remote control co-pilot handle? Presentation at the 2017 Industry, Engineering, & Management Systems Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
- Rice, S. & Mehta, R. (2017). Automation in Sociotechnical Systems. In Cuevas, H., Velazquez, J., & Dattel, A. (Eds). Human Factors in Practice: Concepts and Applications. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315587370-6
- Rice, S., & Mehta, R. (2017). Developing a Valid and Reliable Willingness to Interact with Drones (WID) Scale. Presentation at the 2017 Industry, Engineering, & Management Systems Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
- Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Keebler, J. R., & Mehta, R. (2017). Patient perceptions on the use of an auto-piloted emergency medical transport: An affective perspective. 2017 International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Mehta, R. & Rice, S. (2016). System Wide Trust: A Possible Contagion Effect. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 34(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.22488/okstate.18.100465
- Mehta, R. & Rice, S. (2016). Creating a Short Scale for In-Flight Experience Quality. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 6(12), 970-974. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijssh.2016.V6.783
- Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Winter, R., Reid, K. & Cremer, I. (2016). Using System-Wide Trust Theory to Make Predictions About Trust in Transportation Automation. Journal of Technologies and Human Usability, 12(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.18848/2381-9227/CGP/v12i02/1-11
- Rice, S., Mehta, R., Winter, S.R. & Oyman, K. (2015). A Trustworthiness of Commercial Airline Pilots (T-CAP) Scale for American Consumers. Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering, 4(2), 55. https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1108
- Winter, S. R., Rice, S., Mehta, R., Cremer, I., *Reid, K. M., Rosser, T. R., & Moore, J. C. (2015). Indian and American consumer perceptions of cockpit configuration. Journal of Air Transport Management, 42, 226-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2014.11.003
- Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Moore, J. C. & Oyman, K. (2015). Consumer Perceptions of Privacy Toward the Usage of Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Valid and Reliable Instrument. Poster presented at the 8th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
- Mehta, R., Rice, S., *Oni, M.A., *Oni, M.D., *Ghosal, S. & Oyman, K. (2015). Consumer willingness to fly on sub-orbital flights: A regression analysis. Proceedings of the 2015 Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace International Research Conference.
- Rice, S. & Mehta, R. (2015). A Design Projection for Future Flight Decks: The 2040 Cockpit. Research consulting contract –
- Winter, S. R., Rice, S., & Mehta, R. (2014). Aviation Consumers’ Trust in Pilots: A Cognitive or Emotional Function. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2014.1003
- Mehta, R., Rice, S., Winter, S.R. & Oyman, K. (2014). Consumers' perceptions about autopilots and remote-controlled commercial aircraft. Proceedings of the 57thAnnual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Chicago, IL. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931214581384
- Mehta, R., Winter, S. R, & Rice, S. (2014, April). Examining the relationship between familiarity of automation and perceived reliability across various levels of pilot experience. Poster presented at the 7th annual Human Factors and Applied Psychology Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
Media Attention
- Interviewed for an article in Forbes: “While COVID-19 Batters the Airlines, Driverless Car Technology Marches On” by Stephen Rice (May, 2020).
- Interviewed for an article on Vox.com: “Plane ticket prices are dropping because of the coronavirus” by Terry Nguyen (March, 2020).
- Interviewed for an article in Forbes: “What Can Healthcare (And Other Fields) Learn From Aviation Safety?” by Stephen Rice (February, 2020).
- Referenced in an article based on Research related to the Boeing 737 Max: “Boeing share price: Will Warren Buffett bid?” by OPTO (January, 2020).
- Research was the focus of an article in Forbes: “Public Opinion On Boeing Has Stayed Remarkably Stable Throughout The 737 MAX Crisis.” by Stephen Rice (January, 2020).
- Research was the focus of an article in Forbes: “Are Americans Warming Up To A Return Of The Boeing 737 MAX?” by Stephen Rice (September, 2019).
- Research was the focus of an article in Forbes: “The Public Is Taking A Wait And See Attitude On The 737 MAX.” by Stephen Rice (March, 2019).
- Research was the focus of an article in PsyPost: “New research indicates airline passengers are not ready for autonomous cockpits” by Eric W. Dolan (June, 2018).
- Research was the focus of an article in Health Medicine Network “Study participants—especially women—less willing to ride in driverless ambulances” (March, 2017).
- Research was the focus of an article in FIT Newsroom “New Study Shows Skepticism About Driverless Ambulances” (March, 2017).
- Research was the focus of an article in Medical Xpress: “Study participants—especially women—less willing to ride in driverless ambulances” (March, 2017).
- Research was the focus of an article in JEMS: “New Study Shows Skepticism About Driverless Ambulances” (March, 2017).
Recognition & Awards
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40 under 40 Delta Tau Delta Award 2022
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Andrew W. Revay Jr. Award for Faculty Excellence in Service 2021
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Best Research Paper Award – AIS Affiliate Conference with the HCI International Conference 2021
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Lifetime Achievement Philanthropy Award 2020
- Most Valuable Panther – Employee of the Month University Wide (April) 2020
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Best Faculty of the Year Fall 2018 – Spring 2019 (ISSS) 2019
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National Gold Philanthropy Award 2019, 2016
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National Silver Philanthropy Award 2014,2017,2018
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Forbes 30 Under 30: Science Finalist (Non-Winner) 2017
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James S. Eaton Award – Outstanding Recent Graduate 2016
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Alumnus of the Year - Delta Tau Delta 2016
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Second place award for Faculty and Graduate Research at AIRCON 2016, Phoenix, AZ 2016
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Third place award for Faculty and Graduate Research at AIRCON 2016, Phoenix, AZ 2016
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Excellence in Graduate Presentation Award at the HFAP 2015, Daytona Beach, FL 2015
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First place award for Faculty and Graduate Research at AIRCON 2015, Phoenix, AZ 2015
Research
Dr. Mehta’s research has predominantly focused on consumer perceptions as they relate to automation in the aviation industry. Dr. Mehta has also been involved in several other research endeavorers that span over 90 publications in the field of future cockpit design, pilot configurations, and space travel. He also has a specific expertise in System Wide Trust Theory, scale development, regression analyses and mediation analyses.
Funded Research:
- Rice, S. & Mehta, R. (2015). A Design Projection for Future Flight Decks: The 2040 Cockpit. Research consulting contract – Jeppesen.
Textbooks:
- Rice, S. & Mehta, R. (2017). Automation in Sociotechnical Systems. In Cuevas, H., Velazquez, J., & Dattel, A. (Eds). Human Factors in Practice: Concepts and Applications. CRC Press.
Graduate Student Research:
- Austin Woods - Master Thesis Committee Member (FIT) 2025
- Elie Choi – Doctoral Exam Committee member (FIT) 2025
- Ginder Peng – Doctoral Exam Committee member (FIT) 2025
- Abdulaziz Aqil O Alaqil – Doctoral Exam Committee member (FIT) 2025
- Mohammed Muazu – Doctoral Committee member (FIT) 2025
- Jude Akhigbe - Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2025
- Donald Rickey - Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2025
- Marli Fitzpatrick - Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2025
- Shaun Kelly - Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2025
- Luis Alcaraz - Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2024
- Kodey Bogart – Doctoral Committee CHAIR (FIT) 2024
- Richard Johnson – Doctoral Committee member (FIT) 2024
- Xiaomeng Sun – Doctoral Committee member (FIT) 2024
- Kodey Bogart – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2024
- Trenton Wright – Master Thesis External Committee Member (FIT) 2024
- Heather Ross – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2024
- Mohammed Muazu – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2024
- Ray Trapp – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2024
- Richard Johnson – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2024
- Khaled Alzaabi – Doctoral Committee Member (FIT) 2024
- Shayne Inniss – Doctoral Committee CHAIR (FIT) 2023
- Michael Mbaka – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2023
- Nikhita Agassam – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2023
- Khaled Alzaabi – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2023
- Andrew Whittall – Doctoral Exam committee member (FIT) 2023
- Maureen Namukasa – Doctoral committee member (FIT) 2023
- Todd Barnes – Doctoral committee member (FIT) 2023
- Arjun Nair – Doctoral committee member (FIT) 2023
- Brandon Judy - Master’s committee member (Thesis, FIT) 2022
- Cherisse Ficke - Master’s committee member (Thesis, FIT) 2022
- Bhoomin Chauhan - Doctoral committee member (FIT) 2022
- Vivek Sharma - Doctoral committee member (FIT) 2021
- Chandra Talerico – Doctoral external committee member (FIT) 2020
- Arjun Nair – Master’s committee member (Thesis, FIT) 2020
- Alexandra Coultrup – Master’s committee member (Non-thesis, FIT) 2019
- Mattie Milner – Doctoral external committee member (ERAU) 2019
- Kenneth Ward – Doctoral external committee member (ERAU) 2019
- Guangda Liang – Doctoral committee Co-Chair (FIT) 2018
Undergraduate Student Research
- Hamby, R., W. Badger, B.E. Wheeler, & R. Mehta. 2019 (Fall). UAS: Hazardous Reports by Registrations.
- Horton, A., L. Buford, G. King, R. Mehta, & E. Wheeler. 2019 (Fall). Wildlife Strikes Per Airport Classification.
- Lentine, P., B. Harris, M. Lieberman, R. Mehta, & B.E. Wheeler. 2019 (Fall). Willingness to Fly Based on Apparent Flight Crew Age.
- Madonna, C., J. Moore, J. Gerald, B.E. Wheeler, and R. Mehta. 2019 (Fall). A Look at Risk Attitude: Flight Students Compared to Non-Flight Students.
- Nakushian, A., A. Kapar, K. Ryan, R. Mehta, & B.E. Wheeler. 2019 (Fall). Prevalence of Invulnerability in Part 141 Flight Students.
- Risso, A., T. Albrecht, B.E. Wheeler, R. Mehta, and I.M. Silver. 2019 (Fall). Duration and Efficiency of Private Pilot Training.
- Scott, T.C., J. Shyu, D. Sotomi, B.E. Wheeler, & R. Mehta. 2019 (Fall). Engagement in collegiate aeronautics courses.
- Smith, A., H. Fu, M. Fufemi, R. Mehta, and B.E. Wheeler. 2019 (Fall). Willingness To Fly Aboard The 737 Max As Opposed To The 737-800.
Research Service
- Associate Editor, International Journal of Aviation Research
- Reviewing Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Professional Aviation Training & Testing Research
- Assistant Managing Editor, International Journal of Aviation Sciences
- Associate Editor (2015), Journal of Technologies in Society
National Service
- Board of Trustees, Aviation Accreditation Board International
- AABI Criteria Committee 2023 – Present
- AABI Governance Committee 2026 – Present
- Reviewing Panelist, Department of Defense’s SMART Scholarship