Fairmont State University ’ s Aviation Center of Excellence
When Joel Kirk , chief pilot and director of Fairmont State University ’ s Aviation Center of Excellence , took over the state of West Virginia ’ s first aviation program in 2017 , there were only six students . In three years , Kirk and his staff have turned the aviation center into a highly respected and successful program with 40 current students and countless others on the waitlist vying to be a part of it .
“ I expected a lot of students to bail due to the pandemic , but I have more kids now than I ’ ve ever had ,” says Kirk . “ It ’ s been a remarkable run . The bad part is that I don ’ t have the ability to train all the kids who want to do it .”
The only FAA-approved CFR Part 141 program in the state , students can choose between three tracks offered through the aviation center . Those admitted to the highly selective programs have the opportunity to earn a bachelor ’ s degree in aviation technology with an emphasis on business administration while simultaneously completing the flight hours and training required to obtain their private , instrument and commercial ratings or choose the professional flight degree option . The aviation management degree option prepares students for careers in airport management , air traffic control , airline management positions and airport security .
Co-located at the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport , WV , students enrolled in the program will collectively spend more than 5,000 hours in flight each year . The aviation center prides itself on having a small school environment where students receive oneon-one instruction and detailed attention with each flight instructor . “ If I was the chief at a larger school , I probably wouldn ’ t know every student , but here , I know their records and how they are all doing on a regular basis ,” says Kirk .
In the coming years , Kirk has his eyes set on expanding the current facilities on Fairmont ’ s campus to allow for more students with hopes of buying an upgraded airplane simulator and purchasing more aircraft to add to the current six-airplane fleet .
“ It has been an exciting adventure for us , and we ’ re right on the cusp of really becoming a stabilized flight training center ,” he says .
Marshall University ’ s Bill Noe Flight School
In early August , Marshall University broke ground at Yeager Airport in Charleston , WV , for facilities that will house its newly established Bill Noe Flight School . When in full operation , the flight school is expected to enroll more than 200 students and produce 40 commercial pilots each year .
The classroom facility and 12,000-square-foot hangar , which will hold the school ’ s new fleet of three Cirrus SR20 single-engine airplanes , will be open for the fall 2021 semester . Currently , the university is in the process of applying for FAA certification to start a Part 141 pilot school that will offer two academic degree programs to prepare students for careers in the aviation industry .
“ The need for highly qualified technicians is incredible , and the demand for commercial pilots is even larger ,” says David Pittenger , director of the division of aviation at Marshall . “ Right now , because of mandatory retirement age and the increase in commercial and cargo travel , airlines need more trained pilots . What we are seeing is that in both programs , schools are actually having to turn away prospective students because they cannot meet the demand .”
The school plans to offer a commercial pilot bachelor ’ s degree and is also planning a two-year aviation maintenance degree program in partnership with Mountwest Community & Technical College to be located at the Huntington Tri-State Airport . The collaboration between Marshall and Mountwest will be the first of its kind in the state , and students completing the program will earn a diploma from both schools .
Candidates for the flight school include high school graduates , veterans and adults seeking a career change . Its ground and flight courses will lead to a series of FAA certifications and will prepare graduates to become commercial pilots of single- and multiengine aircraft .
“ From my perspective , one of the most important things to emphasize is that this represents Marshall ’ s commitment to the betterment of West Virginia ’ s economy ,” says Pittenger . “ There are a lot of opportunities here , and we really want to see growth for our neighbors .”
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