ORLANDO, Fla. – 5/2/2019 – The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), the industry leader in remote pilot safety education, training, and certification, will collaborate with Textron Systems, a business of Textron, Inc. (NYSE:TXT), to implement Aerosonde® Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) operator training into university curriculums, helping prospective unmanned systems operators with certification.
USI will implement its safety education and skill-based curriculum and training frameworks to provide certifications in collaboration with select technical colleges and universities, offering qualified students the opportunity to participate in unmanned aircraft training in accordance with Textron Systems’ training standards, backed by more than 1 million UAS flight hours. Textron Systems and USI will work together to ensure that the new program offers resources that support classroom and flight activity directly related to Textron Systems’ unmanned aircraft systems.
USI’s professional aviator-oriented safety education and skill-based certifications will be considered prerequisites for learners to participate in on-site training with Textron Systems at their Unmanned Systems Service & Support center in Blackstone, Virginia, with the intent to prepare students for a future career as an unmanned aircraft systems operator.
“Through this collaboration, students participating in this unique experience will be prepared for graduation and employment within the unmanned systems industry,” says Textron Systems Vice President of Tactical Mission Systems Chris Mallon. “Over the past couple years, we have seen an increased demand for Aerosonde SUAS operations, making this certification program an extremely valuable asset for those wishing to join the Textron Systems team.”
The strategic agreement creates an employment pipeline not only for college students but also for secondary students, exiting military personnel and adult learners interested in pursuing an unmanned career pathway. Students interested in the new program will be able to use traditional student financing, financial aid, and GI Bill financing to cover the cost of all training and increase accessibility.
“We are proud to offer incredible opportunities for individuals looking to work with a long-time industry leader in unmanned flight,” stated USI President Josh Olds. “Unmanned Safety Institute is dedicated to setting the standard for safety education and skill-based evaluation by merging the world of technology and aviation into a turn-key solution for developing professional, risk averse, safety cultured remote pilots.”
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About Unmanned Safety Institute
The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry’s most widely recognized leader in flight safety solutions for individuals, enterprises, and organizations focused on integrating and operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for civil or commercial purposes. The Unmanned Safety Institute, recognized as “best-in-class”, provides UAS flight safety training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. With 150+ instructors and over 7,000 customers around the world, USI is considered the global leader in UAS safety education, training and certification delivering the most highly-regarded training program and career pathway initiatives of its kind. USI is accepted for professional development credits by industry associations, endorsed by major aviation insurance providers, and whose training programs have been evaluated and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education. Discover more at www.UnmannedSafetyInstitute.org.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems is a world leader in unmanned air, surface and land products, services and support for aerospace and defense customers. Harnessing agility and a broad base of expertise, Textron Systems’ innovative businesses design, manufacture, field and support comprehensive solutions that expand customer capabilities and deliver value. For more information, visit www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
AEROSONDE is a trademark of AAI Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
USI to establish the first-in-the-nation USI - Center of Excellence, a remote pilot training and safety certification center, at Gulf Coast State College.
