Pistons_Plane_Donation_Podcast.mp3 The Thief River Falls Airport had a brush with fame today as a plane that escorted the Detroit Pistons NBA team to the 2004 NBA Championship arrived after its last flight from Detroit Metro Airport. The Pistons donated the DC-9 aircraft, called Roundball One, to the Northland Community & Technical College Foundation to support Northland’s aerospace programs. The DC-9 aircraft served as the Pistons’ team plane from 1998-2010.
Onboard the plane, Northland’s Director of Aviation Programs Biggi Haraldsson said the plane will be kept at Northland’s hangar.
Haraldsson said the the DC-9 is widely used by FedEx and other cargo carriers. Students in Northland’s Aviation Maintenance program will diassemble and reassemble portions of the plane in their lab classes.
Northland president Dr. Anne Temte thanked the Pistons organization for the donation. She said having the aircraft in Northland’s hangar will allow students to get important hands-on experience.
Northland Aerospace includes the aviation maintenance technology and the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) maintenance training programs. The AMT program is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 147 approved program. The UAS maintenance training program is the first of its kind in the nation.
Second ImpressionsIn today’s economy, people are looking for more ways to stretch their dollars. A new thrift store, just opened in Grand Forks by a Northland Community & Technical College graduate, is making that a little easier. Amanda Lannen is the store’s owner.
FINAL_Jim_Retka_11-21-11.mp3Jim Retka, Northland Community & Technical College Dean of Aviation and Dean of Workforce and Economic Development was a recent guest on Pioneer 90.1’s “Northland Spotlight.” Jim talked about the challenges of re-tooling the aviation program and how it has grown over the past several years. “Northland Spotlight” can be heard every Monday afternoon at 3:05 on Pioneer 90.1!
Technology FairTechnology is changing at such a fast pace, it can be tough to keep up. From smartphones, to iPhone apps, to eReaders and tablet computers – we live in the era of digital gadgets. To help sort it all out, the Northwest Technology Partnership is presenting a Technology Fair Saturday, November 19th from 8 til 3 at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Kirsten Michalke, Director of Workforce Development at Northland’s Center for Outreach and Innovation, tells us more.
Scott Fletcher on Northland UASOver the last two years, Thief River Falls has become an important player in the development of unmanned aircraft technology nationwide.
Last year, Northland Community and Technical College received nearly $5-million from the U.S. Department of Labor to establish the nation’s first unmanned aerial systems maintenance training Center. The first UAS maintenance training classes began in August.
In September of this year, Northland received another $4.7 million dollar Department of Labor grant that will be used to develop another program related to flying planes remotely, from the ground.
Joining us to talk about Northland’s planned certificate in Imagery Analysis is chief operating officer of Northland’s aviation programs, Scott Fletcher.
