R. John Hansman

R. John Hansman is the T. Wilson (1953) Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT and Director of the MIT International Center for Air Transportation (ICAT). He holds over 6,000 flight hours across airplanes, helicopters, and sailplanes, with extensive experience in flight testing. His research focuses on applying information technology to aerospace systems, emphasizing air transportation safety, environmental impact, and innovation.

• Roles: Professor (since 1995), Director of ICAT, and Director of MIT’s Aeronautical Systems Laboratory.
• Leadership: Chair of the FAA Research & Development Advisory Committee and member of the National Academy of Engineering.

Research Interests: Air traffic control systems, sustainable aviation, aircraft design, and data analytics for operational efficiency. He leads projects such as the Perdix micro-UAV and collaborates on global environmental standards for aviation.

Education: A.B. from Cornell University (1976), S.M. and Ph.D. from MIT (1980, 1982 in Aeronautics/Astronautics and related fields).

• Awards: Includes FAA Excellence in Aviation, AIAA Dryden Lectureship, and Wright Brothers Master Pilot honors.

Labs: Directs ICAT and collaborates with the MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment. Active in ASCENT (Aviation Sustainability Center) addressing climate impacts.