HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University’s Aviation Technology and Maintenance program is moving closer to takeoff after financial contributions to the program in the past week.
Marshall announced a $1.36 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to fund startup and operating costs of the program that is a collaborative effort among Marshall, the Robert C. Byrd Institute and Mountwest Community and Technical College.
The program will be based at the Tri-State Airport in Huntington and part of the broader Bill Noe Flight School also based at Yeager Airport in Charleston.
Dr. Jerome Gilbert, the President of Marshall recently told the institution’s Board of Governors that the ARC grant is for the first two years of the program. The board also hinted at the possibility of a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant close to $1 million to help with additional costs.
He said that he expects the program to have the ability to promote significant jobs in the region.
“When Tri-State Airport leverages this program to attract a major MRO to the airport. MRO stands for maintenance, repair and overhaul companies, which are companies that work on keeping airplanes operational and safe,” Gilbert said at the board meeting.
Gilbert said that Marshall has partnered with industry leaders in the area that will provide equipment for the program.
“Used airplanes, used airplane parts, engines. Other things that will help us in terms of having equipment in the laboratory for the students to work on,” he said.
Graduates of the 18-month program will have the opportunity to earn FAA certifications along with an Associate of Applied Science degree in aviation maintenance, a Marshall release said.
The program is set to launch in January 2022 and is being developed with the input of aviation industry experts.
Gilbert said he does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to affect the program as the virus has left the airline industry reeling. He cited a Boeing report that started the industry should recover within two years and have the same demand in four years.
“Our air transport in terms of packages and equipment has not diminished, in fact, increased during COVID. The maintenance in aircraft has diminished some but not to a significant degree,” Gilbert said.
The Bill Noe Flight School at Yeager Airport is expected to launch in August 2021. Courses will be taken at the airport and some at Marshall’s South Charleston campus for any students interested in airline dispatching, operations, airline managing, and airport operations.