The Indiana University of Pennsylvania has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has certified the school as a collegiate training institution.
The designation allows IUP to be a part of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative program, which recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers related to flying drone aircraft. IUP has offered a drone systems science and applications certification program since 2018, which is designed to prepare students to be FAA-certified to pilot drone aircraft. John Berhardt, Jr., a professor at IUP and the director of IUP’s Geospatial Intelligence certificate programs and unmanned aircraft systems certificate programs will direct the UAS-CTI at IUP.
Benhardt says that there is a shortage of drone pilots and more will be needed in the future as drone usage becomes more prevalent in industries and corporations.
IUP is the only school in Pennsylvania that will be part of the FAA’s program.
