Today Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Advanced Aerospace Solutions (AdvAero) announced the signing of a research and development agreement to take a long-standing relationship of innovative, world-class research and development to the next level.

Embry-Riddle is the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace with two residential campuses in Florida and Arizona, and more than 150 global locations as part of Worldwide. AdvAero is a U.S. joint venture of which Marinvent Corporation, based in Montreal, Canada, is a founding partner.

The collaboration forges a concrete partnership that represents an important milestone in attracting high-tech, high-profile, aerospace companies to the region to work with Embry-Riddle and help grow the research and technology park adjacent to the Daytona Beach campus.

The complementary relationship combines Embry-Riddle's breadth of aviation and aerospace focused research and education resources with AdvAero's unique skills, equipment and experience in product development and flight test certification. The result is the ability to take new ideas from basic research, through laboratory experiments, into flight test and certification and finally product release and technology transfer. This capability delivers a cost-effective R&D alternative for both the public and private sector.

"What we are doing here is bringing together the best of both of our sets of capabilities in order to provide a unique, one-stop shop for aerospace and defense companies who need to realize their aerospace ideas and products on-time and within budget," said John Maris, CEO of Marinvent.

Embry-Riddle has the world-class resources and expertise to perform fundamental research, while AdvAero has substantial experience in bringing aviation and aerospace solutions to market by performing the certification and approvals needed in the technology and safety-intensive environment of the aerospace industry.

"This agreement represents a clear example of Embry-Riddle's commitment as an entrepreneurial go-to resource for the aerospace industry," said Embry-Riddle President Dr. John P. Johnson. "Access to faculty expertise, students immersed in all things aviation and aerospace and the applied focus of our industry-leading engineering programs provide industry with a unique alternative when they are seeking real solutions to real problems."

AdvAero is committing its unique Flying Avionics Test Bed and Research Simulator, a specially equipped and one-of-a-kind Piaggio Avanti to the venture. The AdvAero Avanti is on display in the outdoor static area, location 315, of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting and Convention in Orlando.

"I am very excited about this announcement because I have always believed that the aerospace and defense community would benefit greatly from a broader use of the incredible people, facilities and knowledge base that has been created at Embry-Riddle over the years," Maris said.

"As we continue to build Embry-Riddle's capability and reputation as a research-oriented university, the opportunity to support the aviation and aerospace industry will continue to grow," Johnson added.