For Release: Thursday, September 27, 2012
Contact: David Gillies: 202.225.5661

SIUC SELECTED FOR PARTICIPATION IN NEW CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR GENERAL AVIATION

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, welcomed the announcement today from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been selected to participate as an affiliate member of the new Center of Excellence for General Aviation. The Center of Excellence is a partnership between academia, the aviation industry and the federal government and will focus on research to improve the safety, accessibility and sustainability of general aviation. Costello has been a strong supporter of the Centers of Excellence concept and SIUC’s participation.

“SIUC has one of the best aviation programs in the country and will add a great deal to this endeavor,” said Costello. “Centers of Excellence explore important topics and improve our understanding of best practices in safety, technology, training and management. This is a great opportunity for the faculty and students at SIUC that will benefit the entire nation.”

The Center of Excellence for General Aviation is a 10-year agreement with the FAA committing at least $500,000 annually for the first five years. The first Center was established in 2001 and ran through last year. As Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee in 2007 and 2009, Costello authored language to establish a Center of Excellence for Aviation Human Resource Research as part of legislation to reauthorize the FAA. That language was enacted into law earlier this year and called for a similar research focus.

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