By Janice Phelan,
August 26, 2019
![Avionics Meeting at MIC](/news/university-news/posts/images/avionics-meeting.jpg)
With the help of industry experts and regional stakeholders, the 欧美视频-Lee鈥檚 Summit and the Lee鈥檚 Summit R-7 School District鈥檚 are working together to launch a new avionics and unmanned aircraft systems (drones)
career pathways program.
A new Avionics Advisory Board met for the first time on Aug. 23 to provide guidance
for the avionics program. The group includes representatives from the Aircraft Electronics
Association and ULTRAX Aerospace (both headquartered in Lee鈥檚 Summit), Duncan Aviation
and Garmin as well as officials from the City of Lee鈥檚 Summit and the Lee鈥檚 Summit
Economic Development Council.
The board members will work with UCM and Summit Technology Academy staff to develop
curriculum, assist with industry certification identification and development and
offer recommendations related to an entrepreneur component, career pathways and internship/apprentice
opportunities. Joe Mullins of UCM and Dr. Jeremy Bonnesen, Summit Technology Academy
director/principal, are leading the partnership effort.
The Lee鈥檚 Summit Mayor Bill Baird, the City of Lee鈥檚 Summit鈥檚 Airport Commission and
the Lee鈥檚 Summit Economic Development Council have recently endorsed the program.
The avionics program will be designed for both high-school and college students with
a goal of enhancing the talent pipeline for a qualified workforce. The program fills
a unique need in this region by emphasizing both avionics and unmanned aircraft systems.
Avionics includes the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and
spacecraft. Examples are communications, navigation, monitoring, fuel systems, collision-avoidance
systems, flight recorders, radar and sonar.
The 欧美视频鈥檚 Workforce Development programs offer face-to-face
and online industry-recognized programs designed to fit the schedule of busy adults.
UCM offers entry-level training as well as courses geared toward professionals wanting
to advance in their careers. Through UCM鈥檚 Warrensburg campus, the university offers
fully accredited aviation degree programs and certificates. UCM鈥檚 Skyhaven Airport,
located in Warrensburg, is the only university-owed airport in Missouri.