New Hangar, Helicopter, and Training Airplanes Imminent

The board of directors of Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School has approved the construction of a new hangar at the Charleston, West Virginia institution.

In addition to the hangar, the school will take possession of a new training helicopter, to be delivered in 2024. Students and staff are eager to lay eyes and hands on the new machine.

Marshall University flight school student Josh Barnett remarked: “I definitely think this program will grow a lot in the next few years, especially with the new helicopter coming.”

Upon the helicopter’s arrival, Marshall will gain the distinction of being the Southeastern U.S.'s only collegiate flight school to offer a helicopter training program.

The helicopter’s acquisition necessitated some $1.5-million in private funding.

The new hangar, the cost of which remains unknown, will be of a size commensurate with the accommodation of not only the inbound helicopter, but an additional ten aircraft—more or less. The hangar’s construction is fortuitous, if not outright necessary, insofar as the school currently has four new training airplanes on order, deliveries of which are slated to commence in autumn 2024.

Marshall University flight instructor Dylan Worrell set forth: “Having all of this right here is great for the state. It’s bringing people back here and it’s giving the people who already live here big opportunities.”

Bill Noe Flight School director Nancy Ritter contends the school’s inchoate helicopter certification program is apt to occasion broadened employment opportunities for Marshall University graduates.

Ms. Ritter stated: “Very few training organizations can do that [offer helicopter training and certification], and the students leaving here will have that option to be certified not only in an aircraft but in a helicopter, which opens up additional employment opportunities.”

FMI: www.marshall.edu/aviation