Source: Raylene Alexander, 785-826-2940, raylene@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.salina.k-state.edu/aviation and http://www.mcico.com
News release prepared by: Natalie Blair, 785-826-2642, nblair@k-state.edu

Monday, May 16, 2011

AVIONICS PROGRAM LANDS KEY EQUIPMENT DONATION BY MID-CONTINENT INSTRUMENTS

SALINA -- Mid-Continent Instruments recently donated numerous attitude indicators, altimeters, vertical speed indicators, directional gyros and air speed indicators to Kansas State University Salina's avionics program.

Ryan Reid, Mid-Continent Instruments employee and 2008 graduate of K-State's professional pilot program, coordinated the donation with Raylene Alexander, K-State Salina avionics program lead and assistant professor of aviation.

Reid serves as tour guide when Alexander's classes tour Mid-Continent Instruments, based in Wichita, each semester and they often see each other at trade shows.

"Mid-Continent Instruments is proud to support K-State and their exceptional training program," Reid said. "We are happy to donate instruments that will allow students to further their education and become professionals within the aviation industry."

"The support we received from Mid-Continent Instruments has been invaluable," Alexander said. "We will use the instruments to troubleshoot and repair aircraft as part of our classroom curriculum."

Mid-Continent Instruments manufactures aircraft instruments for the general aviation industry. Services at the Wichita facility include developing and manufacturing new instruments and avionics products, overhaul and repair. Specialties include gyro, altimeter, horizontal situation indicator and autopilot system overhauls. For more information, http://visit www.mcico.com.

K-State's avionics program provides the education and practical experience needed for a career in the rapidly growing avionics segment of the aviation maintenance industry, providing students with skills needed for aircraft design, operation, maintenance, inspection, repair and alteration. The program meets the standards set by the National Center for Aircraft Technician Training and prepares students to seek the industry’s Aviation Electronics Technician certificate. For more information, visit http://www.salina.k-state.edu/aviation.