Sarah Talley

Adjunct Faculty, College of Aviation

Sarah.Talley@erau.edu

Department of Aeronautics

Worldwide College of Aviation

Sarah Talley

Overview

Dr. Sarah Talley is an adjunct professor in the M.S. Aviation & Aerospace Sustainability program. In this role, she teaches graduate-level courses, mentors students through thesis projects and contributes to the development of the program’s curriculum, emphasizing innovative solutions for sustainability in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Dr. Talley holds a Ph.D. in Aviation with a focus on Safety and Human Factors, as well as a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, both from ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµ. Her professional career spans over a decade at Lockheed Martin, where she has held key roles in systems engineering, project leadership, and program management for high-profile government and defense initiatives, including the F-35 Lightning II program. She is also a U.S. Army veteran, where she managed brigade-level supply and support operations, gaining expertise in logistics and operational planning.

Dr. Talley’s research interests focus on sustainability practices within aviation and aerospace, including innovative solutions for development and sustainment activities. Her work emphasizes risk assessment, flight simulation optimization, and leveraging advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency. Her passion lies in addressing the industry’s operational challenges, promoting best practices that align with global sustainability goals.

Beyond academia and industry, Dr. Talley is dedicated to mentoring professionals and students in aerospace fields, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and leadership. She is an advocate for advancing sustainability and operational resilience within aviation, contributing her expertise to shaping the future of the industry.

Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation: Aviation Safety and Human Factors, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµ

M.A.S. - Master of Aeronautical Science in Aeronautics, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµ

B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓÆµ

Civil Air Patrol - Aerospace Education Member since December 2023

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics - Member since January 2020

National Association for Professional Women - Member since September 2015

Teaching

  • AVSF 612: Avia/Aero Industrial Sfty Mgmt
  • AASI 613: Sustainable Air Traffic Manage
  • AASI 635: Sustainable Avia Tech/Tool
  • AASI 600: Sustainable Avia/Aero Perspect
  • AASI 600: Sustainable Aviation and Aerospace Perspectives
  • AASI 605: Aviation and Aerospace Sustainable Organizations
  • AASI 613: Sustainable Air Traffic Management
  • AASI 620: Best Practices for Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability
  • AASI 625: Sustainability Policy in Aviation and Aerospace
  • AASI 629: Sustainable Air Vehicles; Design and Propulsion
  • AASI 635: Sustainable Aviation Techniques and Tools
  • AASI 639: Aviation Corporate Sustainability Management
  • BSAS 210: Introduction to Aerospace Safety
  • MAVM 615: Strategic Management of Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
  • MSAS 612: Aviation/Aerospace Industrial Safety Management
  • RSCH 700A: Thesis 1 Research
  • RSCH 700B: Thesis 2 Research

Research

  • (Eva Maleviti, Sarah Talley) Publications (2025)
  • (Sarah M. Talley, Sarah Talley) Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses (2022)
  • (Sarah M. Talley, Sarah Talley) Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research (2020)
  • (Sarah Talley, Christopher Groom) National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2018)

Maleviti, E., & Talley, S. (2025). Integrating sustainability in aviation training: Perspectives from industry professionals. International Journal of Aviation Research, 17(1).

Talley, S., & Joslin, R. (2023). Behavioral Intention Factors for Prescription Deliveries by Small Unmanned Aircraft in Rural Communities. Journal of Air Transportation, 31(4), pp.140-149. doi:10.2514/aD0356

Talley, S. (2020). Public acceptance of AI technology in self-flying aircraft. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, doi:10.15394/jaaer.2020.1822