SETU and Waterford Airport sign agreement to start aerospace academy
From L-R: Sean McKeown, Chief Executive Waterford City and County Council; Dr Frances Hardiman, SETU Head (Carlow) Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment; William Bolster, CEO Waterford Airport; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP; Aidan Power, Manager of Waterford Airport; and Prof. Veronica Campbell, President of SETU. Photo: Brownes Photography
SETU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Waterford Airport to establish a National Aerospace Academy.
The advancement of the plan was announced at the Celebrating Aerospace event held in Carlow on Monday.
Speaking at the event, SETU President Professor Veronica Campbell said their aerospace team has "positioned itself as an innovator in this field".
“Our collaboration with Waterford Airport is perfectly placed and resourced to provide a strong research and development alliance in flight testing small aircraft and unmanned air vehicles,” said Prof Campbell.
The National Aerospace Academy at Waterford Airport will specialise in Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs).
A UAV is an aircraft that doesn't require a human pilot or crew.
They are used for a variety of uses in military operations, research and data collection, commercial activities, and even to support emergency services.
SETU say the collaboration will support the offshore sector in the southeast of Ireland, "fostering climate-focused research capabilities".
Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said in a statement on Tuesday that Waterford can be "at the heart" of a global hub for aviation in the Southeast region.
She also said that she is confident that Waterford airport is a priority on the new Minister's desk.
Speaking at the event celebrating SETU’s recent achievements in the aerospace sector, Ms Ní Mhurchú praised SETU's commitment to the industry.
“SETU’s commitment to education, research, and industry collaboration is vital for sustaining this momentum, together with the momentum to quickly progress the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway," said Ms Ní Mhurchú.
Also announced at the event was the news that SETU had received Irish Aviation Authority approval as an EASA Part 147 Training Organisation.
This will allow them to deliver their Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship.
SETU is one of only two Technological Universities in Ireland to receive this approval.
The event in Carlow was well attended, with representatives from airlines, maintenance organisations, engineering companies, Air Corp, Waterford Airport and local government officials.
