recently invited Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University students to participate in a unique learning experience at its Phoenix facility. The course focused on , an avionics suite currently under development for business jets and helicopters that can adapt to nearly any aircraft.

The three-day immersion experience allowed five students, accompanied by assistant professor of Aaron Jones, to engage with Honeywell engineers, pilots and other personnel to gain hands-on experience with the company’s integrated flight deck.

“This trip has been a transformative experience for me as I prepare to embark on my professional career,” said student Kelly Hansen. “My experience with the Honeywell Anthem system highlighted the importance of striking a balance between leveraging technological advancements and maintaining awareness of external factors during flight.”

Anthem oversees vital avionics functions in an aircraft, such as navigation, communication, control and flight management. As Anthem nears its final stages of development, Honeywell aims to make flying safer by enhancing pilots’ awareness through flight assistance and cloud-based information sharing that can allow for remote flight planning.

Students met with many Honeywell professionals for guided facility tours, simulator flights and classroom sessions with the avionics system. The program also included an overview of Honeywell’s flight test operations with chief test pilot Ed Manning.

Embry‑Riddle’s partnership with Honeywell, overseen by Honeywell Anthem’s principal systems engineer, Steve Smith, exemplifies the benefits shared between higher education and industry employers. By working with Honeywell representative Steve Smith, students receive access to professional settings and real-world experiences that prepare them to transition from the classroom to the workplace.

“I had a fantastic experience with a depth of knowledge that can’t be found in a classroom or textbook,” said Chris Togiai, an Aeronautical Science major who participated in the program. “Having hands-on experience with an innovative avionics system such as Honeywell Anthem was an invaluable experience. I increased my skills as a pilot and gained a newfound appreciation for the engineering behind our aircraft avionics systems.”

As simulation technology evolves, the Honeywell Anthem project will play a pivotal role in preparing students and professional pilots alike to adapt to an ever-changing aviation landscape.