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Source: Kurt Barnhart, 785-826-2872, kurtb@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/barnhartbio.html

News release prepared by: Natalie Blair, 785-826-2642, nblair@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

K-STATE CUTS RIBBON ON UAS LABORATORY

Salina, Kan. - Kansas State University held a ribbon cutting ceremony on the Salina campus today to celebrate the opening of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Laboratory.

The UAS Lab houses K-State’s Applied Aviation Research Center, which oversees the UAS Program Office and Advanced Avionics Miniaturization Lab.

"K-State is one of a very few universities in the country to offer training and flight services to the unmanned aviation industry," said Kurt Barnhart, Applied Aviation Research Center Director.

Barnhart said K-State's unmanned aerial systems capability revolves around three key areas: operational policies and standards; advanced avionics miniaturization; and unmanned aerial vehicle education and training.

The Kansas State Applied Aviation Research Center advances aerospace technology through application of research in propulsion, airframe, avionics and aviation training. It is a cooperative venture of the K-State College of Technology and Aviation, the Salina Airport Authority, and the Salina Chamber of Commerce.

The UAS Program Office develops policies and procedures to incorporate and facilitate the entry of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace, as well as training UAS operators.

The Advanced Miniaturization Lab houses a Class 10,000 Advanced Surface Mount Technology clean room with the ability to design miniaturized components and rapidly prototype miniaturized systems in packages, including high mix, low volume fabrication of miniaturized sensors using technology such as: two sided boards with system in package, package on package, flip chip, BGA, die stacking, screen printing, encapsulation and chip scale packaging.

K-State, an elite Top 5 aviation university, has a modern fleet of more than 40 learning aircraft and more Master Certified Flight Instructors than any other college or university in the country. Located adjacent to a 12,000-foot runway, the aviation program is housed on the K-State at Salina campus, which provides a well-rounded Big 12 university experience shared by 1,000 students in a high-tech campus environment. Another 2,000 students are served through advanced learning opportunities. K-State at Salina awards certificates in air traffic control, A&P, airport management, avionics maintenance technology, and unmanned aerial systems, and offers affordable degrees in aircraft maintenance, professional pilot, technology management, and engineering technology.

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In the photo:
Local dignitaries join Applied Aviation Research Center supporters to cut the ribbon for K-State at Salina’s new UAS Laboratory. They are (L to R): Mike Benjamin, Valerie Kindlesparger, Brenda Ratzlaff, and Darren Pittenger, Salina Chamber of Commerce All-American Team; Randy Duncan, Saline County Commissioner; Dennis Lauver, Salina Chamber of Commerce President; Tim Rogers, Salina Airport Authority Executive Director; Roger Powers, Flint Hills Solutions CEO; Kurt Barnhart, Applied Aviation Research Center Director; Lt. Col. Jeffry Jordan, Great Plains Joint Training Center Second-in-Command; Ann Feil, Kristi Hays, and Delta Bryant, Salina Chamber of Commerce All-American Team.