Dr. Tiziano "Tizi" Bernard is a Professor of Human Factors, an experimental flight test engineer, corporate pilotand flight instructor. Born and raised in Trieste, Italy, he graduated from the International School of Trieste before moving to the United States to study at Florida Tech. Agraduate student of Dr. Ralph D. Kimberlin, he earned an M.S. in Flight Test Engineering working on aircraft stability and control. He earned his Ph.D.studying human cognitionfrom the Human-Centered Design Institute (HCDi) under Dr. Lucas Stephane.
At Florida Tech, Dr. Bernard spent several years researching systems-induced loss of control (LOC), flight-testing causal factors, developing new cognitive engineering methodsand designing experimental recovery avionics for large Part 25 aircraft.
Outside of academia, Dr. Bernard is an experimental flight test engineer flying on Gulfstream GVII and GVIII test aircraft. He is also an FAA NAFI accredited Master Flight Instructor with over 1,700 instruction hours, an AIAA Senior Memberand a Director with the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE). Previously, he worked as an avionics designer and evaluator for GARMIN, designing integrated, aftermarketand experimental cockpits, primarily focusing on large-cabin flight decks and life-critical systems. He is the inventor of two patents and continues to contribute to the aerospace field as a lecturer, instructor, volunteer pilotand mentor (e.g., Project Lead the Way).
In recognition of his dedication to the sciences and education, Dr. Bernard was awarded the Order of Merit of Savoy (Royal House of Italy), the Bronzean Medal of the City of Triesteand was elected to the Forbes Italy “Under 30” list in 2019. For two years in a row, he was named Best National Flight Instructor by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) in 2025 and 2026.
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Human-Centered Design, Florida Institute of Technology
M.S. - Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology
Graduate Certificate in Flight Test Evaluation, Florida Institute of Technology
B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering: Flight Technology, Florida Institute of Technology
Corporate Pilot,Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (current)
Experimental Flight Test Engineer, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation(current)
Contract Pilot, Galileo Aerospace(current)
Flight Instructor, Savannah Aviation(current)
Director, Society of Flight Test Engineers (շ)(ܰԳ)
Aviation Systems & Human Factors Engineer, GARMIN International
Cognitive Engineering Research Engineer, Human-Centered Design Institute
Flight Test Engineer, Human-Centered Design Institute
Director, Society of Flight Test Engineers
Sr. Member, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Fellow, European Academy for Economic and Cultural Relations
Member, National Association of Flight Instructors
Member, Society of Aviation and Flight Educators
100 under 30, FORBES Italy
Best National Flight Instructor, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Best Regional Flight Instructor (Southern),Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Visionary Educator,ݮƵ
Master Flight Instructor, National Association of Flight Instructors
Gold Seal Flight Instructor,Federal Aviation Administration
Innovation Award,GARMIN International
Best Paper Award,SFTE 2020 International Conference
Knight Commander, Order of Merit of Savoy
Bronzean Medal of the City ofTrieste,Government of Trieste, Italy
Best University Project,Thales
Northrop Grumman Best Engineering Project Award, Florida Tech Capstone Project