The emerging civilian industry is expected to be worth $15 billion worldwide over the next five years, according to the college.
“This is the first training system of its kind (nationally),” said Sinclair President Steve Johnson. “We are certainly leading in the beginning, budding areas of this industry.”
In January, Sinclair installed the simulators, which have two computer screens and two control sticks similar to a video game to move the aircraft and its sensors. The simulator systems are the most sophisticated now being used to train civilians, Johnson said.
Sinclair is also requesting federal approval for a site at the Springfield Air National Guard Base to offer training flights with the goal of providing a cohesive strategy to train students in the classroom and hands-on.
Jobs are expected to grow in design of the equipment, maintenance, operating, managing the data collected by the devices and more, Johnson said.
“The unmanned aerial systems industry by leaps and bounds is one of the highest growth industries we are predicting in the nation,” said Jeff Hoagland, president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition.
“We see economic opportunity for our area in the future,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, who explained that much work remains to be done by Congress to open civilian airspace for the drones.
About 100 students are currently taking courses related to the program for which they can earn a certificate. Trace Curry, 23, entered the program after initially planning to become a pilot. He expects to finish this summer.
“I’m really glad I did it,” he said. “I’m waking up looking forward to class.”
For more information on the program, visit uas.sinclair.edu.
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