Industry expert David C. Ison, Ph.D., has been involved in aviation for more than 35 years, during which he has flown as a flight instructor and as an ATP for both regional and major airlines flying domestic and international routes. He holds ATP Multi-Engine Land, Commercial Single-Engine Land and Sea, Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Flight Instructor, Multi-Engine Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor—Instrument and Advanced, Remote Pilot, and Aircraft Dispatcher certifications.

Dr. Ison has been in aviation higher education for more than 15 years and currently holds the position of Professor, Graduate School, at Northcentral University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Auburn University, a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science–Operations Specialization from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies/Higher Education Leadership with a specialization in Aviation Education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.