Kyle A. Butler

Kyle A. Butler is not new to the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Upon completing three undergraduate degrees in 2022, he decided to pursue a graduate degree through ASU’s accelerated master’s degree program.

“I have loved aircraft since I was young. I decided to study the human-machine interface that is needed for aviation operations,” Butler says. 

He finds the field of aviation interesting due to the diverse backgrounds it encompasses. Butler believes that humans are an integral part of the aviation industry and is proud to be a part of the community.

As a graduate student, Butler maintained a leadership role as president of the Drone Devils — a student organization that builds, fixes and flies drones and kits. He is proud of the volunteer work this student organization did with Feed My Starving Children and of his time spent mentoring young students.

A notable accomplishment during his time in the Fulton Schools was completing two master’s degrees while maintaining extracurricular involvement and pursuing an education in helicopter flight training and aviation maintenance outside of the classroom, including an aircraft dispatcher certificate. 

“My position fixing aircraft will allow me to financially support the completion of my pilot ratings,” he says.

Butler credits Sandra Park, faculty associate in the aviation program of The Polytechnic School, part of the Fulton Schools, for encouraging him to earn his aircraft dispatcher certificate while pursuing his graduate degrees. He also recognizes the invaluable guidance from Michael Cirillo, an assistant teaching professor in aviation during his thesis. The leadership shown by these two individuals proved paramount in Butler’s academic success in the Fulton Schools.

Following graduation, Butler intends to stay in Arizona to further his education in the aviation sector, honing in on his mastery of flight operations and maintenance. Ultimately, his goal is to transition into the world of commercial airlines and emerge as a skilled pilot. 

“I will take the memories, knowledge and hands-on skills I have acquired here at ASU into the aviation field,” Butler says.

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2024 class here.