March 6, 2002
Contact: Bill Trippett (509-963-2189/fax 509-963-2377/trippetw@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University flight technology students left the classroom -- and the ground -- this week (Monday, March 4) for a first-hand look at some of the latest aircraft instrumentation.
Officials with Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems, based in Redmond, brought a specially-equipped 1952-vintage Convair turboprop to Ellensburg. Students went up on 45-minute flights over Ephrata, Wenatchee and along the east slopes of the Cascades to observe the state-of-the-art integrated “terrain-avoidance avionics, weather-hazard avionics and other kinds of equipment that is used in modern aircraft,” Bill Trippett, CWU flight technology professor, said.
“We wanted to give our students a heads up on the kinds of technology so they can adapt to it,” he added. “We are also now looking at upgrading our flight simulators, so we will be able to provide this technology to our students.”
CWU has the only four-year flight technology program in Washington. Currently, there are nearly 200 students enrolled in the flight tech program, which offers majors in flight officer, aviation management and airway science.
