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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu
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Source: Kirk Demuth, 785-826-2986, demuth@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Abigail Crouse, 785-826-2642, acrouse@sal.ksu.edu

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

KIRK DEMUTH TO HEAD UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS PROGRAM OFFICE AT K-STATE AT SALINA

SALINA -- Kirk Demuth will be the director of the unmanned aerial systems program office at Kansas State University at Salina.

The office is the first major initiative of K-State's recently formed Applied Aviation Research Center.

"Kirk will be working to develop policies and procedures in order to incorporate and facilitate the entry of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace," said Kurt Barnhart, head of the K-State at Salina's department of aviation. "In addition, Kirk will be trained as an unmanned aerial vehicle operator and be closely involved with the hands-on field work of unmanned aerial vehicle operations."

Demuth has more than 1,000 hours of unmanned aerial vehicle formation flying as a chase plane observer for the Predator and Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. Most recently, he served as chief pilot and maintenance director for Chalk 2 Aviation in Victorville, Calif.

He has a bachelor's degree in technology management and an associate degree in professional pilot, both from K-State at Salina. Demuth also is a certificated commercial pilot, ground instructor and flight instructor. In addition, he has experience as a banner tow pilot at Daytona Beach, Daytona Speedway and Orange Beach.

The K-State Applied Aviation Research Center advances aerospace technology through application of research in propulsion, airframe, avionics and aviation training. It is a cooperative venture of K-State at Salina, the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina Chamber of Commerce.