HCC President Clyde Muse and Sen. Thad Cochran Announce The Airport Upgrade

Hinds Community College President Dr. Clyde Muse and U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) announced Tuesday that the FAA will invest $1.85 million for the design and installation of an ILS for the John Bell Williams Airport. The funding is a collaborative result between Cochran, the FAA and Hinds Community College, owner of the airport.

Muse, acknowledging Cochran’s role, said the FAA award will help complete a six-year, $11 million capital improvement program at the Airport, which is also the base for aviation-related courses. “Hinds Community College and our airport patrons are very grateful for the encouragement and leadership shown by Sen. Cochran in helping us achieve this important next step in our airport’s evolution. We have now moved from an outstanding to superior general aviation airport,” Muse said.

“The installation of this ILS at John Bell Williams Airport will not only create an outstanding teaching tool for the aviation technology curriculum at Hinds Community College, but will serve our state’s aviation community with an outstanding all-weather service Airport,” said Cochran, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Airport is owned by Hinds Community College, the largest community college in the state of Mississippi serving approximately 19,500 students annually at six different locations. Hinds offers aviation technology programs at the Airport - such as pilot training, aviation management, avionics, airframe and power plant certification - and an air traffic control training curriculum that started in the spring 2009 semester.

Senator Thad Cochran

When the ILS installation and FAA certification is finished in Summer 2010, the John Bell Williams Airport will have undergone a capital improvement program that included reconstruction and lengthening of its runway and taxiway to accommodate a greater percentage of the worldwide business jet fleet, and building new hangar facilities to accommodate regional demand from aircraft owners.

Airport Development Group, Inc. of Jackson, MS, is providing design, engineering and project management services for the ILS project. “Our airport is ideally located in the rapidly growing suburban areas west of Jackson. We are perfectly positioned to offer a dynamic combination of aviation service and business locations to serve this region of the state,” Michelle Jackson, airport manager, said.

FMI: www.hindscc.edu