“The facility is really impressive. They have done a wonderful job,” said Alex Pollack, 24, a second-year Sinclair UAS student. “It will allow for hands-on training. There is not a better way to study technique, than getting to touch and feel.”
A resident of Piqua, Pollack has already secured a job in the drone industry, despite still taking classes for his degree. Pollack says the job offer shows the demand for these skills.
The college is bringing its aviation and drone programs into the renovated Building 13, with the goal of driving innovation. During the first academic-year nearly 500 students will take classes in the facility.
The community college had several national leaders in the field of drones on-site for the ribbon cutting — a ribbon that was held up by a drone. On Monday, the college also hosted its first UAS academic summit, and later today it will launch the Ohio UAS Conference.
Drone hub
Regional leaders say the renovated 28,000-square foot building, which will have around 120 drones on-site, is a step forward in the region’s push to become a drone hub. Meanwhile, national experts say the region is putting itself at the center of a revolutionary field.
“Some day UAS will have as much impact on people’s lives as PCs or cell phones,” said Robert Connelly, chairman of the Sinclair’s board of trustees.
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International forecast by 2025 UAV’s could create 2,700 jobs and a $2.1 billion impact in Ohio. Nationally, the group predicts 100,000 U.S. jobs, with an economic impact of $82 billion — a number that’s higher than 13 states gross domestic product numbers.
“Wilbur Wright, one of the famous brothers from Dayton who invented manned aviation, said to be successful, begin life in Ohio. Today, Ohio and Dayton are again at the center of new generation of aviation, unmanned aircraft systems,” said Brian Wynne, the president of AUVSI. “So, to be successful, begin life in Ohio, and to be successful in UAS, begin your career at Sinclair.”
The college started its first drone program in 2008, and plans to stay at the forefront of the industry as regulations change.
More planned construction
The Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of drafting rules to fly small drones, and has given some waivers to fly while the regulation is worked out.
Around $4 million for the renovations came from the state, while the college picked up the remaining $ 1 million.
In November, Sinclair will open a building adjacent to the facility. That second building will have a 40-foot high ceiling, and be used for indoor drone flight testing.
Sinclair officials say the upgraded facility will likely help it grow partnerships and secure federal grants. That includes a more than $1 million National Science Foundation grant for competency based drone curriculum, which the college is in the process of applying.
“You have to continually invest and grow. This will help us grow national attention, and enable us to do more partnerships,” said Deborah Norris, Sinclair’s vice president of workforce development and corporate services.
For example, Norris points to the talks with a Florida-based drone company to bring jobs to the region.
“I think this announcement is not only an important asset for our local workforce, but for the global workforce. If you are interested in UAS industry, Dayton is the place to be,” said Chris Kershner, vice president of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kershner says the move will add momentum to an already growing Dayton drone industry.
About the Author