The Georgia Aviation Campus of Middle Georgia College (MGC), in Eastman, recently celebrated a successful partnership between the college and Thrush Aircraft Co., a manufacturer of agricultural application airplanes in Albany, Georgia.
The event was marked by a visit of Thrush’s newest turbine-powered airplane at the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport (EZM) in Eastman. The 510G plane was showcased for several hours in front of MGC’s executive hangar and several guest speakers addressed visitors. MGC’s Aviation Campus had loaned some flight test equipment to Thrush that aided the company in certifying its newest agricultural airplane. Officials at the Georgia Aviation Campus said they are looking forward to additional opportunities for Middle Georgia College to partner with aviation businesses.
For example, MGC’s ownership of the flight test equipment provides opportunities for support of new product development and technology development with Georgia aerospace companies, officials said. The equipment will also support ongoing initiatives to form an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Development & Testing Center in Eastman to support development of advanced UAS products by Georgia-based companies. The flight test equipment can also be used to support expansion of MGC aviation course offerings into the flight test area.
Middle Georgia College is a public college that offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with four aviation options: Flight, Air Traffic Control, Airport Management, and Logistics. It also offers Associates of Applied Science degrees in Flight, Air Traffic Control, Aircraft Maintenance, Aircraft Structural Technology, and Avionics, as well as several aviation non-degree certificate programs.
