U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, will recognize Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s selection for an aviation honor in a ceremony at 2 p.m. today at the Transportation Education Center, 545 Airport Road in Murphysboro.
SIU has been chosen as an affiliate member of the new Center of Excellence for General Aviation, a partnership between academia, the aviation industry and the federal government that will focus on research to improve the safety, accessibility and sustainability of general aviation.
It is a 10-year agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration committing at least $500,000 annually for the first five years.
As chairman and ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives, Costello authored the section of the FAA bill authorizing Centers of Aviation Excellence.
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