School picked for aircraft program

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Unmanned Aerial Systems program has been selected to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative program.

The program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones. To qualify, schools must offer bachelor’s or associate’s degrees in unmanned aircraft systems or a degree with a minor, concentration, or certificate in unmanned aircraft systems. Schools must provide curriculum covering various training aspects, including hands-on flight practice, maintenance, uses, applications, privacy concerns, safety and federal policies concerning unmanned aircraft systems.

“The value-added component this consortium brings to our students is a direct increase in opportunity for internships, apprenticeships, and employment,” Garry Cude, director of the university’s Unmanned Aerial Systems program, said in a news release. “The partnership also allows us to gain knowledge of trends in the industry to help shape our curriculum and position our students for success in this ever-expanding career.”

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254) required the FAA to establish a collegiate training initiative program relating to unmanned aircraft and to establish a process to designate consortia of public, two-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Small Unmanned Aircraft System Technology Training.

The university’s Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the FAA on Oct. 2 and will expire in three years.