Interest in Kansas State University Salina’s Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems course is soaring, with enrolment up 200 per cent since autumn 2010.
The 22 students currently enrolled in the class agree on why they’re taking it. They view unmanned aircraft systems as the future of the aviation industry. “It’s the future, so we better know about it,” said Brandon Stroda, senior in aviation maintenance, Junction City.
“It’s great to see this level of interest,” said Kurt Barnhart, head of K-State’s aviation department. “It’s been a lot of work to get this programme established, and it’s very rewarding to see it pay off with high enrolments.”
Most of the students in the class are professional pilot majors, a few are majoring in aviation maintenance, and some are focusing solely on unmanned aircraft systems. They view K-State Salina as a leader in the unmanned aviation field. “The unmanned industry is so new that K-State is helping develop the guidelines right now,” said Shawn Dionne, junior in professional pilot, Cumming, Ga..For Tony Taddiken, freshman in unmanned aircraft systems, Salina, the programme is a chance to develop his long-time interest in remote control aircraft into a career. “Unmanned aircraft systems seems to fit a niche that I’m interested in,” he said.
Some students in the programme, like Dionne and Taddiken, have military experience. Others, like Clinton Finney, junior in professional pilot, Wichita, plan to enter the military and use their unmanned flight experience. Finney likes that he can pilot an Air Force unmanned aircraft from the ground, so he doesn’t have to worry about being shot down. Other students are taking the class because it teaches more than just flying unmanned aircraft. “I like that with unmanned aircraft you can work on unmanned aircraft as well as fly them,” said Desmond Calloway, senior in professional pilot, Minneapolis, Minn. “I thought about being an engineer, but engineers don’t get much of a chance to enjoy the aircraft they build. With this programme I’ll learn how to build them and fly them.”
K-State Salina’s proximity and access to the restricted airspace at the Smoky Hills Weapon Range means students are getting hands-on, real-world experience using common unmanned systems operating software and with mission planning, said Eric Shappee, associate professor of unmanned aircraft systems. “This experience is quite valuable and will give K-State students the edge when it comes to getting hired,” Shappee said. “We’re extremely fortunate to be one of the only universities with this type of amenity just out our front door. Our students are gaining multiple hours of flight time and experience on numerous different systems,” said Josh Brungardt, unmanned aircraft systems programme director.
The unmanned aircraft systems programme currently offers a certificate. University officials anticipate that a bachelor’s degree will be offered when the autumn semester begins in August.
K-State’s unmanned aircraft systems programme office is home to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technology Evaluation Centre, which will evaluate existing unmanned aircraft systems technology and platforms for their suitability in disaster response scenarios, and will train operators/maintainers. The office also supports a full surface mount technology lab devoted to unmanned vehicle avionics and payload miniaturization.
The unmanned aircraft systems programme office is operated by K-State’s Applied Aviation Research Centre. The centre’s charter is to advance aerospace technology through the application of research capabilities in propulsion, airframe, avionics and aviation training. The programme office collaborates with military organizations and the private sector to focus on developing unmanned flight in the nation’s airspace and training pilots and operators of unmanned aircraft systems.
K-State also establishes criteria for unmanned aircraft system flight operations, including activity at the Smoky Hill Weapons Range, and eventually at the Herington unmanned aircraft system flight facility. The university’s programme office establishes policies and procedures to enable both military and civilian organizations to fly and test at the area facilities.
Source: Kansas State University Salina