Announcements
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Ed Perry)

 

The snow and cold temperatures could not deter the first meeting of 2014 or dampen the spirits and song quality of the club!

Andrew announced that Barb has broken her foot while preparing for the Winter Olympics and is now in a boot case and looking at 8 to 10 weeks recovery time. Good luck in Sochi, Barb!

Club members are asked to sign up for the service projects that take place this month for Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Please contact Phillip for more information on EIFB’s January Re-pack and also the EIFB’s Community Food distribution on Saturday, January 25th from 9 to Noon in Bement, IL. 

 

Program

CUSR Club member Dr. Kris Young, Vice President for Academic Services at Parkland College, presented information on the Parkland College Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois. Kris and Parkland’s CFO have been directly involved in the discussions between the University of Illinois and Parkland College. The U of I began the initial discussions with Parkland College about taking over the program from the U of I.  After approximately three years of negotiations, and declining the offer due to concerns that included financial risks and the fact that Parkland knew very little about running an aviation department, a final agreement was reached. The agreement calls for Parkland to lease the 29 planes as well as facilities and classroom space from the U of I for a mere $2 per year.

The Parkland pilot training program (tagline: Snakes on a Plane) will begin in August 2014 and Parkland has hired Riverside Research to provide support for the first three years of the program. Riverside Research is a national firm with offices in Champaign and has ties with the U of I in aviation research. Riverside Research will oversee many of the day to day aviation operations and FFA regulations while Parkland runs the academic programs and has oversight responsibilities.  Riverside is on the cutting edge on research into uses of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAS and UAVs can be used to monitor environmental and agricultural land areas.   

Parkland’s goal for is to have 90 students enrolled in the program this fall and each year increase those numbers. Kris pointed out that at its high point the U of I had over 200 students enrolled at the Institute for Aviation. Parkland took over the program with guarded optimism as there is a need for this training and job opportunities. The two year technical program is a good fit with the mission of Parkland College.   Credit transfers with the U of I and EIU are complete and are currently being finalized with SIU. 

While regular classroom costs will be in line with Parkland’s regular course fees, there will be a need for additional flight fees of $4,000 to $6,000 per course. Parkland has also hired Sybil Phillips, past U of I Aviation  Institute’s Head and Chief Pilot, as Parkland’s Chair for this new department. At this time Parkland will not be teaching airplane maintenance but may add it in the future as it could be integrated with their current car and diesel training programs.  

Kris noted these are exciting times and that the Parkland College’s Institute of Aviation will meet Parkland’s overall mission and will help to fill the current and future needs of students who wish to enter into the expanding aviation field.   

 

 

Jan 9th Jan 16th
Introductions Andrew Kerins Dave Krchak
Invocation Jen Shelby Jeff Van Buren
Greeters Andrew Kerins Dave Krchak
Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite
Song Leader Robb Patton Allan Penwell
Notetaker Penwell Hodson

 

Upcoming Schedule

January 9th – David Shaul and Paul Davis will discuss WCIA and Channel 3

January 16th – Dennis Roberts will discuss the Urbana Sister City Program

January 23rd – Rick Schoell, former Executive Director for External Relations for the University of Illinois

January 30th – Chris Catanzarite from OLLI at UIUC will discuss the history of the Oscars

February 6th – TBD

February 13th – TBD

February 20th – TBD

February 27th – Dr. Irfan Ahmad will discuss the history of Islam, the local Muslim community, and the Avicenna Community Health Center

March 6th – TBD

March 13th – Dr. Stephen Boppart, Bliss Professor of Engineering at UIUC