Topic: Marshall Flight School soaring to new heights after just 2 years

[goherd73]

From Metronews...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ? Marshall University is ahead of schedule on it?s progress with the Bill Noe Flight School.

During an appearance on MetroNews ?Talkline? last week at the State Capitol, Marshall University President Brad Smith said after just two years, the program is already beating their 5-year projections.

?Our enrollment right now is 148% above our plan so we?re a complete year ahead of our 5-year plan,? Smith said.



The program started with 18 students in 2022. There are now 127 students enrolled.

The Bill Noe Flight School currently has 10 planes with their first helicopter coming in. President Smith said the school is on track to see over 1,000 students participate in the program over the next couple of years with more aircraft on the way.

?We?re on path to have about 28 aircraft in the next couple of years,? Smith said.

Aviation jobs are in demand too. Smith said the aviation industry is about 50,000 people short for all sorts of jobs including pilots, technicians and air traffic control. There?s not enough individuals in the pipeline to fill all the needed positions, but Marshall, with it?s growing aviation program, is trying to help the cause.

?Every student we have enrolled at Marshall in the aviation program has a guaranteed job waiting for them,? said Smith.

It?s not just the Flight School at Marshall that?s growing. Through certain funding, Smith is hoping there will be some investments made into aviation programs at WVU Potomac State College, West Liberty University, Shepherd University and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.


?We can?t do it alone,? Smith said. ?That?s why we are working with those other universities to help them get their programs expanded or stood up.?

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/02/04/marshalls-flight-school-soaring-to-new-heights-after-just-two-years/?es_id=ff526a6958

[GreenDaddy]

All I have seen out of Marshall since Brad Smith took over is positive news. New structures, new programs, and a growing enrollment. I'm not sure what the ceiling is for a school like us, but the future sure does look bright.

[MidlandKnight]

All I have seen out of Marshall since Brad Smith took over is positive news. New structures, new programs, and a growing enrollment. I'm not sure what the ceiling is for a school like us, but the future sure does look bright.

Throw in his relationship with the legislature too. When can you ever remember Charleston going to a Marshall President for support/information over WVU. In fact, a hard pill for WVU to swallow is the legislature questioning why they can't budget, or have forward thinking like Marshall. This is all because of one man, Brad Smith. However, for Brad to do this he had to have capable people around him that have bought into what he was selling. That appears to be the case and it is exciting times for Marshall and southern WV. 

[coalherd]

Throw in his relationship with the legislature too. When can you ever remember Charleston going to a Marshall President for support/information over WVU. In fact, a hard pill for WVU to swallow is the legislature questioning why they can't budget, or have forward thinking like Marshall. This is all because of one man, Brad Smith. However, for Brad to do this he had to have capable people around him that have bought into what he was selling. That appears to be the case and it is exciting times for Marshall and southern WV.

Ummm, MK, better make that "two men".  Can't forget all those "positive" contributions from Mr. Bowtie, "Gordy Gee(k)"!!

[Flat Tire 2]

I guess most realize that the Flight School is located at Yeager Airport in Charleston and the students take their courses online or at the Marshall U South Charleston campus. A family member who lived in Charleston says locating the facility in Charleston was a very smart move by MU and will help break down the old Charleston hates anything from Huntington including Marshall. Marshall is starting to be a factor in the Kanawha County economy. The Kanawaha County Commission contributed money to build the school facilities. Most old MU fans would never believe that Charleston would ever help MU. Just saying Marshall is starting to extend its reach beyond Huntington and Cabell County and might become a University that is serves all of West Virginia.

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A lack of funds almost prevented Marshall University?s new flight school at Yeager Airport from lift-off.
?It was unacceptable to delay the opening of the flight school, that?s something we?ve been working on for several years,? Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango said.
The Kanawha County Commission is now helping foot the bill with a $442,000 grant.
?Without this money we wouldn?t be able to finish this project,? Asst. Airport Director and COO at Yeager Airport Dominique Ranieri said.

https://www.wsaz.com/2021/07/24/marshall-flight-school-ready-take-off-after-receiving-grant-kanawha-county-commission/