–Iowa Lakes Community College will use nearly $500,000 in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support expansion of their Aviation and Airport Management Program. Tim Busch serves as the Director and Chief Flight Instructor for the Aviation Program at Iowa Lakes, and he tells KLGA News this funding will allow them to develop a curriculum to help high school students transition into the program more efficiently, while at the same time expanding services offered.
The funding comes through the FAA’s Pilot Workforce Development Grant Program and is aimed at making sure students are equipped with the skills needed for successful careers in the aviation industry. Busch says one of the fastest growing sectors in the aviation industry revolves around drones, and they will be expanding their drone program at Iowa Lakes.
Busch says graduates of the Aviation Program will have plenty of avenues for employment.
The grant funding will also be used to establish a Rotary Wing curriculum at Iowa Lakes, which would make them the first school in the state to offer instruction for future helicopter pilots.
Anyone interested in pursuing a career in this area can find out more about the Aviation and Airport Management program by going online to www.iowalakes.edu.
