ULM joins FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative

November 11, 2020 | AUVSI News

The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) has announced that it is joining the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS CTI). 

According to the FAA, the initiative is a collaborative effort designed to ensure that new technology is safely incorporated into the National Airspace System (NAS) and that qualified professionals are in the pipeline to satisfy the demand of the drone industry, which continues to grow at a rapid pace. 

“The FAA is serving as a kind of intermediary for schools that offer this kind of program to get together,” explains Dr. Paul Karlowitz, associate professor of aviation.

Karlowitz says that through the networking efforts of the FAA, universities will be able to compare notes with each other concerning curriculum, technology, and training efforts.

The only Louisiana institution to offer a four-year degree in drone technology, ULM is the only state program in the consortium. The program is officially known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems Management and is part of ULM’s College of Business and Social Sciences.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Management program, which has 30 students, provides students with an analytical foundation to interpret data collected from the use of drones. The overall goal of the program is to prepare individuals to become competent, ethical, safety-conscious aviation professionals that can handle leadership roles in various aviation management careers.

According to ULM, the FAA recognizes that the programs of members of the consortium are of the highest standards. The FAA will offer participating colleges and universities with the latest regulations and links to resources, recognition of participating institutions with a description of programs on its website, invitations to conferences and webinars, and a list of job openings in the industry. The agreement initially runs for three years.

“I view with FAA memorandum of agreement as professional development for our program,” Karlowitz says.

“With this new FAA program, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Colligate Training Initiative, we have the opportunity to collaborate with not only the FAA, but other member institutions to further the development of the UAS workforce. We look forward to sharing training tools, resources, and guidelines for further the safe and ethical use of UAS in the National Airspace System.”