FAA Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Program
About
The FAA is investing in the future aviation workforce by providing grants to academia and the aviation community to help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians, to inspire and recruit the next generation of aviation professionals.
In the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Congress addressed the projected shortages of aircraft pilots in the aviation industry by giving the FAA the authority to establish an Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program to expand the aircraft pilots workforce and provide meaningful aviation education designed to prepare students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators, and support the related professional development of teachers.
FAA’s Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Program provides funding to support projects that generate interest in and prepare students for careers as aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators, as well the creation and delivery of new and existing curriculum designed to provide high school students with this education and the educators’ training.
Award
Kent State University has been selected as one of thirty-two schools nationwide to receive a significant grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aimed at fostering the development of the future workforce in the aviation industry. This $419,708 grant is earmarked for an initiative aimed at bolstering the workforce for aircraft pilots and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operators in Northeast Ohio.
Project Description
The project will train high school students to engage, nurture student interest in aviation careers and use manned/unmanned aircraft flights for in-person, virtual reality, and online media in northeast Ohio. These three media will be designed to capture, train, and develop teachers that will nurture student interest in aviation careers by teaching the next generation of aircraft pilots and UAS operators from differing socioeconomic backgrounds, and especially focused on underrepresented and under-served populations.
This initiative is set to introduce a comprehensive workforce development program targeting high school students and teachers across up to 10 partner schools in the region. The program is designed to provide essential educational and training opportunities in aircraft piloting and UAS operation and will target communities historically excluded from STEM, underscoring Kent State’s dedication to extending opportunities to rural, urban, disadvantaged, and underrepresented groups. This not only aims to enrich the diversity of the emerging aviation workforce, but also to spark economic development and foster entrepreneurship within these communities.
Workshops
A series of 3-day train-the-trainer workshops will be provided to high school teachers from Northeast Ohio and the surrounding region as part of the workforce development program for high school students. The high school teachers will be trained in a curriculum that will be a meaningful experience in preparing students to become aircraft pilots and/or unmanned aircraft systems operators. As part of their training, the teachers will be given the opportunity to earn a Part 107 Remote Pilot Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Certificate through in class and online training. All workshops will be held at the Kent State campus and airport. Meals will be provided.
Are you a high school faculty member who would like to participate in these workshops?
Request information about upcoming workshops
Upcoming Workshops
"Elevate Your Teaching Skills & Fly to New Heights February Workshop"
Thursday, January 30
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, January 31 - Saturday, February 1
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bring airplane and drone operations training to your high school! Learn about safe flying practices and how to teach these subjects to your students and create pathways for students to become pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft. Join our workshop and get ready to obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate!
This three-day workshop is free and open to high school educators and administrators who want to educate future manned aircraft pilots and UAS operators. Topics covered include drone flight techniques, Part 107 certification guidance, drone registration procedures, and operating within a crewed environment. This workshop includes training sessions to use Kent State’s established curriculum and tools to discuss educational and career pathways with students, and training in virtual reality (VR) curriculum in aircraft pilot and UAS operations.
Participants may earn 2 Continuing Education Units by attending the full workshop. Please note that it is the participant's responsibility to check how the hours may be applied to their professional learning plan.
Register for the January Workshop
"Elevate Your Teaching Skills & Fly to New Heights February Workshop"
Thursday, February 20
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, February 21 - Saturday, February 22
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bring airplane and drone operations training to your high school! Learn about safe flying practices and how to teach these subjects to your students and create pathways for students to become pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft. Join our workshop and get ready to obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate!
This three-day workshop is free and open to high school educators and administrators who want to educate future manned aircraft pilots and UAS operators. Topics covered include drone flight techniques, Part 107 certification guidance, drone registration procedures, and operating within a crewed environment. This workshop includes training sessions to use Kent State’s established curriculum and tools to discuss educational and career pathways with students, and training in virtual reality (VR) curriculum in aircraft pilot and UAS operations.
Participants may earn 2 Continuing Education Units by attending the full workshop. Please note that it is the participant's responsibility to check how the hours may be applied to their professional learning plan.
Register for the February Workshop
Contact
For more information about Aircraft Workforce Development, please email KentAWD@kent.edu.