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The North Central
Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)
is carrying out the North Texas Aviation
Education Initiative: Development and
Implementation. This initiative is being
initiated by NCTCOG from a widely recognized
need for additional aviation workforce
regionally and nationally. Despite its
preeminence in the aviation industry, and the
demonstrated need to train additional aviation
professionals, the region lacks both a public
university with a comprehensive four-year
college program for students who would like to
pursue an aviation career and a clear path for
students interested in aviation careers. The
need for a comprehensive public education
aviation program was first documented by a Texas
Transportation Institute report (2003) and later
by NCTCOG’s New Technology and Industry Trends
Report (2007). The goal of this initiative is to
coordinate with regional industry and academic
partners to form a complete and thorough
aviation academic program and implement it in
the region. This initiative will address the
needs at various academic levels including
university, community college, trade school,
high school, and junior high as well as their
combination with existing regional resources and
industry outreach efforts.
06/30/09: I attended the Aviation Education
Initiative, sponsored by the North Central Texas
Council of Governments at their Arlington, TX
offices. There was a good turnout with
approximately 33 attendees/participants. The
meeting was started with introductions around
the table with most reps being from community
colleges and UNT (University of North Texas).
The first half of the meeting was a PowerPoint
presentation presented by Michael Mallonee
updating the status of the Aviation Education
Initiative. Here is the link to the .ppt:
http://www.nctcog.org/trans/committees/attac/WebPresentations.pdf
The initiative was divided up into five tasks,
with two complete and the final task to be
wrapped up by December, '09. In Dec. a final
report should be issued with a final
product/plan to offer.
The second half of the meeting was open to
questions and discussion. Items discussed
included the preliminary findings and the
biggest concern of affordability of education
for aviation careers. The preliminary findings
were:
- Internet primary information source,
- More school choices needed locally,
- Residents go out of state for education opportunities in aviation,
- There are other aviation careers other than pilot,
- Education should start at the high school level,
- UNT developing a program in aviation logistics.
To summarize, a lot of work has been completed
with a lot of work yet to go. The initiative is
making great strides with a limited budget of
$125,000. There are a lot of programs out there
that need to be interwoven, especially the 2
into 4 year programs. There is a huge need for
local programs, beginning at the high school
level. And there is a need for publicizing the
present and future programs.
There will be other meetings, with one coming up
in September. If my schedule will allow, I
plan on attending.
Thanks and regards,
Beau McVay
McKinney, Texas
TXAA |
