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Aviation Technologies Faculty

Our faculty are a unique blend of researchers, educators and professionals who are proven experts in their fields.

James Barker

James Barker

Assistant Professor
TEC 226 B


Harry Fanning

Harry Fanning

Lecturer
TEC 246 B


Michael Felton

Michael Felton

Assistant Lecturer
TEC 226F


Matthew Harrison

Matthew Harrison

Associate Professor
Test Cell 102


Martin Hebel

Martin Hebel

Associate Professor
TEC 246 E

Martin Hebel has taught technology degrees at SIU for 3 decades in the areas of avionics, communications, industrial control systems, computer networking, computer and device programming, robotics and drones. He is an author on five texts concerning microcontroller programming and wireless communications. He holds a patent on an infrared sensing system in conjunction with the USDA. He is the author of data acquisition and control software distributed globally used in industry, education and by hobbyists.

Martin’s areas of interest and research include data communications, data acquisition and control, programming and student education. His students developed, maintain and operate SIU Aviation’s DawgZooka – The T-Shirt shooting ‘robot’, known by many athletics fans and alumni.

Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science, Electronics Management, Southern Illinois University (1996)
  • Master of Science in Education, Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University (1998)

Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson

Associate Professor
TEC 226 G

Karen Johnson has taught in Aviation Technology since 2005 including general and airframe technologies on both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. She also served in multiple capacities for the Aviation Technician Education Council including being the current Editor of their journal. Her research area includes learning systems design and technologies as applied to aviation technician training including the design of AMT virtual reality simulations. Prior to teaching, Karen earned her FAA mechanic’s certificate with an A&P rating in 1998 and worked as a base mechanic on Bell 206 models for Air Evac Lifeteam.

Degrees

  • Bachelor of Science, Aviation Technology, Central Missouri State University (1999)
  • Master of Science in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Southern Illinois University (2007)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Curriculum and Instruction, Southern Illinois University (2020)

Don Morris

Don Morris

Associate Professor
TEC 226 E

Degrees:
  • Master of Aeronautical Science with specialties in Management and Aviation Education - Embry Riddle - 2013
  • Bachelor of Science, Physics - Illinois State University - 1995
FAA Certificates:
  • Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) with Inspection Authorization (IA)
  • Commercial Pilot (CPL)
  • Flight Instructor (CFI) with Instrument endorsement (CFII).
  • Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
FCC Certificate for Radio Operation and Maintenance (GROL elements 1 and 3)

Classes Taught at SIU: (Classes in bold are his current teaching assignment)
  • AVT 101 - Applied Science
  • AVT 203 - Aerodynamics
  • AVT 206 - Aircraft Metallic Structures
  • AVT 310 - Electrical Systems
  • AVT 318 - Electronics Control Systemss
  • AVT 340 - Airframe Inspection
  • AVT 345 - Powerplant Inspection
  • AVT 422 - Radar Systems
  • AVT 475 - Lean Manufacturing
  • AF 203 - Basic Flight
  • UHON 399 - Honors Independent Study

Articles in Journals:

Expertise in:
  • Aviation Maintenance
  • Aircraft Design and Aerodynamics
  • Computerized Design and Fabrication
  • Aviation Accidents w

Wai Chen Song

Wai Chen Song

Lecturer
Test Cell 101

School of Aviation | College of Health and Human Sciences | 618-453-8898 |