2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Building a Rotary Wing Aviation Program to Facilitate Integration of Military Veterans and Service Members

Presented at Military and Veterans Division (MVD) Technical Session 2

Over the years the airline industry has been crippled due to the shortage of skilled pilots, fixed wing and rotary wing (Helicopter). In summer 2022, several major airlines in the United States canceled a record number of scheduled flights or ran delayed due to the same reason [1]. A unique approach adopted by the airlines to address this challenge is to look for non-traditional sources such as retired military and veteran rotary wing pilots. This led to a growing shortage of helicopter pilots in the medical transport and offshore oil support industries [2]. This challenge also opens new opportunities and career pathways for veterans. Currently, any helicopter pilot flying the Robinson R-44 (and R-22) must be in compliance with CFR Title 14, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Part 61, Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 73 - Robinson R-22/R-44 Special Training and Experience Requirements [3]. The above requirement is a major reason most military helicopter instructors cannot easily transition to civilian flight instruction employment.

Since our state university has a campus on a military base, we are uniquely positioned to offer workforce development programs to the active military and veterans. Recently we started offering rotary wing concentration for our students (both military affiliated and civilians). Students graduating with this concentration have opportunities to work in the Helicopter industry, both as a pilot and a flight instructor.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Science, with a concentration in Rotary Wing (helicopter) offered by the engineering technology department is unique in the State of Tennessee. The bachelor’s degree will support any student who desires to pursue competitive careers in flight instruction, aerial tourism, charter operations, and numerous other aviation applications. Students are taught hands-on and academic skills in a professional setting and receive personal attention from their instructors. Flight skills and academics are taught at the University’s Flight Facility located at the Regional Airport. Successful students will receive a well-rounded undergraduate education in addition to the ability to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor certification. The combination of FAA certification and bachelor's degree makes graduates more competitive in the career market.

This paper will present the survey results justifying the need for a rotary wing program, historical enrollment statistics since the program’s inception in Fall 2019, outreach efforts in new student recruitment, student experience, success stories of student’s FAA certification and their employment data.

Authors

Mr. Charles William Weigandt Austin Peay State University [biography]

EDUCATION

Austin Peay State University
M.A. in Military History 2016
Emphasis on WWII and the Cold War
Graduated with Honors
Awarded a Certificate in Security Studies

University of Pittsburgh
B.A. in Physics 1976

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Austin Peay State University
Assistant Professor, Aviation Science 2018-Present
Adjunct Instructor 2016-2017
Taught American History, HIST 2010 and HIST 2020

U.S. Army
Academic and Flight Instructor 1983-2015
Executed initial qualification and mission training in A/MH-6 series helicopters. Developed syllabus, lesson plans and course material.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

2015 – 2018
Boeing Sikorsky Aircraft Support, Ft. Campbell, KY Flight Publications Manager Supervised production and revisions of Operator’s Manuals, Crewmember Checklists, and Maintenance Test Flight Manuals for three U.S. Army Helicopters.

2001 – 2015
International Development and Resources, Ft. Campbell, KY
Mission Flight Instruction AH-6 section Leader.
Executed initial qualification and mission training in A/MH-6 series helicopters.
Developed syllabi, lesson plans and course material.
Conducted flight and academic instruction.

1978-2001
U.S. Army
AH-6 Standardization Instructor Pilot (Chief Pilot)

PUBLICATIONS
2016
Historynet.com
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
http://www.historynet.com/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished.htm

MEMBERSHIPS
The Society for Military History
Army Aviation Association of America (Quad-A)
Helicopter Association International (HAI)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots association (AOPA)

CERTIFICATIONS
FAA Commercial Pilot,
Rotorcraft Helicopter, Airplane Multi-Engine Land Private Pilot, Airplane Single-Engine Land
Flight Instructor,
Rotorcraft Helicopter Flight Instructor Instrument, Rotorcraft Helicopter Instrument Rating
Chief Instructor, Part 141 Flight School
Dr. Mahesh Kumar Pallikonda Austin Peay State University [biography]

Dr. Mahesh Kumar Pallikonda is an Assistant Professor at Austin Peay State University (APSU). Prior to his academic career, he gained valuable industry experience in roles ranging from New Product Development to Process Control. He holds a Ph.D. and a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cleveland State University, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Ranchi. In addition to his academic qualifications, he is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has completed the 10-Hour OSHA Outreach Training for General Industry. Dr. Pallikonda is passionate about educating and inspiring the next generation of engineers, technologists, and innovators through his lectures. He is deeply committed to advancing the fields of robotics and manufacturing through interdisciplinary research in connected devices and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). His research interests span Manufacturing, Material Science, pedagogy, Lean Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0.
Prof. Ravi C. Manimaran Austin Peay State University [biography]

Ravi C Manimaran is Professor and Chair of the Department of Engineering Technology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. His education includes two Master of Science degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Electronics and Control Engineering. He has been actively involved in higher education leadership in various capacities as a Dean, Department Chair, PI, Project Director, and a faculty member since 1997. He has served as the PI / Project Director for multiple agencies including NSF, DOL, DOD, and Perkin’s Grant. His research interests include Industrial Automation Systems, VLSI, ASIC, and FPGA. Other areas of interest are Higher Education Leadership and Accreditation including ABET.

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