Nicholas Wilson
-
Associate Professor, Aviation
- Human Factors & Performance, Aviation Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Research
Contact Info
- Email: nicholas.wilson@UND.edu
- Office: 701.777.6749
- Dept: 701.777.6749
Office Address
Robin Hall Room 333H
4251 University Avenue Stop 9036
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9036
Robin Hall 333H
Websites
Biography
Dr. Nicholas D. Wilson is an Associate Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota (UND). Nick holds a BBA in Aviation Management (2006), a BA in French (2006) from UND and received his MBA from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN in 2012. Nick completed his PhD in Educational Foundations and Research in May 2021.
In industry, Nick worked for Northwest Airlines as a Manager of Customer Service, Airport Operations as well as Northwest/Delta Air Lines as a Sr. Flight Training Procedures Instructor on the Airbus A320, where he supported significant transition of A320 flight operations training during the merger between those two companies. He also applied his MBA and aircraft systems knowledge while working for UTC Aerospace Systems (now Collins Aerospace) in business development on subsystems for Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft, including certain high program value, long-horizon projects. Nick also worked at Endeavor Air in flight operations training prior to returning to UND in 2014.
Nick's research interests include fatigue risk mitigation and cognitive workload in aviation, improving pilot situational awareness using novel technologies, curriculum design, airline operations, and student motivation and performance. Recently, Nick has supported Department efforts to make progress within sustainable aviation. Nick specializes in teaching advanced aircraft systems and primary aviation training. Nick is an active pilot and aviation instructor.
AVIT 102 - Introduction to Aviation
AVIT 327 - Gas Turbine Engines
AVIT 405 - Airline Operations and Management
AVIT 328 - Fundamentals of Aircraft Systems Operations (New Course Developed for Online Degree)
AVIT 428 - Transport Category Aircraft Systems
AVIT 590 - Special Topics - Aerospace Supply Chain
Patent
Wilson, N., Tavakolian, K. (2019). Systems and methods to provide feedback to pilot/operator by utilizing integration of navigation and physiological monitoring. US Patent. US 10,328,852 B2 . (Patent granted).
Publications
Leonard, A., Wilson, N., & Lents, M. (2024). Sustainable Horizons: Exploring Attitudes and Beliefs on Electric Aircraft Usage in General Aviation. Transportation Research Record, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981241287197
Wilson, N., Archer, L., Guthridge, R., Roesler, J., & Lents, M. (2023). Technical and Regulatory Factors of Adopting Electric Training Aircraft in a Collegiate Aviation Setting. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 41(1).
Taheri Gorji, H., Wilson, N., VanBree, J., Hoffmann, B., Petros, T., & Tavakolian, K. (2023). Using machine learning methods and EEG to discriminate aircraft pilot cognitive workload during flight. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1-13.
Wilson, N., & Stupnisky, R. (2022). Examining Differences in Aviation Student Motivation During Blended Versus Online Asynchronous Courses. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 40(1).
Wilson, N., & Stupnisky, R. (2021). Assessing Motivation as Predictors of Academic Success in Collegiate Aviation Classrooms. The Collegiate Aviation Review International, 39(2).
Wilson, N., Taheri Gorji, H., VanBree, J., Hoffmann, B., Tavakolian, K., Petros, T. (2021). Identifying Opportunities for Augmented Cognition During Live Flight Scenario: An Analysis of Pilot Mental Workload using EEG. Conference Proceedings of the 2021 International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. (Link)
Wang, C., Guragain, B., Verma, A., Archer, L. Majumder, S., Mohamud, A., Flaherty-Woods, E., Shapiro, G., Almashor, M., Lenne, M., Myers, R., Kuo, J., Yang, S., Wilson, N., Tavakolian, K., (2019). Spectral Analysis of EEG during Microsleep Annotated via Driver Monitoring System. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems. (Accepted, in press)
Clinton, V., & Wilson, N. (2019). More than chalkboards: classroom spaces and collaborative learning attitudes. Learning Environments Research, 1-20.
Wilson, N., Guragain, B., Verma, A., Archer, L., & Tavakolian, K. (2019). Blending Human and Machine: Feasibility of Measuring Fatigue Through the Aviation Headset. Human Factors. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720819849783
Majumder, S., Guragain, B., Wang, C., & Wilson, N. (2019, May). On-board drowsiness detection using EEG: Current status and future prospects. In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology (EIT) (pp. 483-490). IEEE.
Majumder, S., Verma, A. K., Wang, C., Mohamud, A., Archer, L., Tavakolian, K., & Wilson, N. (2019, April). Using photoplethysmography based features as indicators of drowsiness: Preliminary results. In Frontiers in Biomedical Devices (Vol. 41037, p. V001T09A008). American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Johnson, B., Erickson, J., Schneider, C., Alam, M. N., Glessing, D., Wilson, N., Tavakolian, K., Fazel-Rezai, R. (2016) Aviation navigation feedback device. 2016 IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology (EIT). IEEE.
Wilson, N. D., Basile, E., Dusenbury, M. (2016). Funding Changes from the Department of Veterans Affairs: Measuring the Impact on Undergraduate Flight Student Career and Academic Goals. Collegiate Aviation Review, 34(2), 86-98.
Wilson, N. D., Daku, S. A. (2016). Industry in Motion: Pilot Study on Instructor and Management Perceptions of New Hire Pilot Technical and Professional Preparation. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 3(3).
Wilson, N., Bjerke, E., Martin, L. (2015) Aviation Living Learning Community: Impacts on Student Success. Collegiate Aviation Review.
Presentations
Wilson, N. (2025).University of North Dakota's Experience with Unleaded Fuel: A Case Study. Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting. Lectern Session 3086, P25-20807, Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2025).
Wilson, N. (2024). Unleaded Aviation Fuel (UL94) Adoption Case Study at the University of North Dakota. UND Aerospace Aviation Alumni Advisory Board. Grand Forks, ND & Online/Virtual Presentation. (October 3, 2024).
Wilson, N. (2024). Unleaded Aviation Fuel (UL94) Adoption Case Study at the University of North Dakota. University Aviation Association (UAA) Fall Conference, Memphis, TN. (September 25, 2024).
Wilson, N. & Leonard, A. (2024) Stakeholder Opinions in the Shift to Electric-Powered Aircraft. World Aviation Training Summit (WATS). Orlando, Florida. (May 1, 2024).
Wilson, N. (2023). Technical and Regulatory Factors of Adopting Electric Training Aircraft in a Collegiate Aviation Setting. University Aviation Association (UAA) Fall Conference, St. Petersburg, FL (September 28, 2023).
Carlson, C. & Wilson, N. (2023). Review and Analysis of Methods to Evaluate Workload. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Training and Human Performance Research Symposium. St. Petersburg, FL. (September 26, 2023).
Wilson, N. (2023). Feasibility of Electric-Powered Aircraft in Collegiate Aviation. World Aviation Training Summit (WATS), Orlando, Florida. (April 19, 2023).
Wilson, N. (2021). Pre-Career Pilots and Motivation – What is the Best Predictor of Performance?. World Aviation Training Symposium (WATS).Orlando, FL. (June 16, 2021).
Wilson, N., Taheri Gorji, H., VanBree, J., Hoffmann, B., Tavakolian, K., Petros, T. (2021). Identifying Opportunities for Augmented Cognition During Live Flight Scenario: An Analysis of Pilot Mental Workload using EEG. 2021 International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (May 20, 2021).
Wilson, N., Tavakolian, K., Petros, T., Hoffmann, B., VanBree, J.,Taheri Gorji, H. (2021). Airborne Cognitive State Monitoring. ND EPSCoR. (April 14, 2021).
Wilson, N. (2019) Distance Learning Technologies with the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals: Lessons Learned. World Aviation Training Symposium (WATS). Orlando, FL. (May 2, 2019).
Wilson, N. (2018). UND Aviation Fall Satefy Briefing, "Electronic Flight Bags - Professional Use and Limitations," UND Aviation / Flight Operations, Clifford Hall 210, UND. (October 3, 2018).
Wilson, N. D. (2018). The Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering, "Keeping the Shiny Side Up: Using Technology to Improve Situational Awareness.," Minnesota Pilots Association, Anoka Airport (Blaine, MN). (April 27, 2018).
Wilson, N. D. (2017). "The Landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549," Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, UND Tech Accelerator. (October 18, 2017).
Wilson, N.( 2017). Rockwell Collins Industry Evening with UND Students, "Engage in Your Future: An Evening with Industry Partner Rockwell Collins," UND and Rockwell Collins, Clifford Hall 210, UND. (October 11, 2017).
Wilson, N. (2016). Annual Fall Conference, "Funding Changes from the Department of Veterans Affairs: Measuring the Impact on Undergraduate Flight Student Career and Academic Goals," University Aviation Association (UAA), Omaha, NE. (September 29, 2016).
Wilson, N. (2016). Annual Fall Conference, "Funding Changes from the Department of Veterans Affairs: Measuring the Impact on Undergraduate Flight Student Career and Academic Goals," University Aviation Association (UAA), Omaha, NE. (September 29, 2016). Presented twice.
Wilson, N. (2016). Annual Fall Conference, "Industry in Motion: Pilot Study on Instructor and Management Perceptions of New Hire Pilot Technical and Professional Preparation," University Aviation Association (UAA), Omaha, NE. (September 29, 2016).
Wilson, N. D., Semke, W. (2016). Venture Grant Proposal, "Venture Grant Phase I: Gannet - Unmanned Aerial Submersible Vehicle," ND Department of Commerce, Center's of Excellence Commission, North Dakota State University. (February 2, 2016).
Wilson, N. D., Tavakolian, K., Fazel, R. (2016). Venture Grant Proposal, "Venture Grant Phase I: Smartsealz - Pilot/Operator Navigation and Physiological Monitoring Device," ND Department of Commerce, Center's of Excellence Commission, North Dakota State University. (February 2, 2016).
Wilson, N. (2015) Annual Fall Conference, "Aviation Living Learning Community: Impacts on Student Success," University Aviation Association (UAA), Salt Lake City, UT. (October 8, 2015).
Awards
Faces of the Industry - DEI Conference - Bridge Award (2023).
Outstanding Advisor Award - Nomination via Wilderness Pilot's Association (WPA). (May 2022).
Faculty Member of the Year 2016, Student Aviation Management Association (SAMA). (April 2016)
Delta Award for Excellence Scholarship, Delta Air Lines. (March 2012)
Delta Chairman's Club Nominee. (2011)
Northwest Airlines Team Excellence Award (2008)
Certifications
Certified Flight Instructor - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (Ratings: Airplane, Instrument, Multi-Engine).
Commercial Pilot Certificate, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Single/Multi-Engine Land, Instrument, A320
Advanced Ground Instructor, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Lean Practitioner, Goodrich / UTC Aerospace Systems. (Cert. March 2013)
Small UAS Operator Certificate (FAA)
PhD - Educational Foundations & Research (2021)
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Graduate Certificate in College Teaching (2017)
University of North Dakota
Master’s in Business Administration (2012)
Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
Bachelor’s in Business Adminstration, Aviation Management (2006)
Bachelor of Arts, French (2006)
University of North Dakota