By Tabitha Redder/nw news editor
The NW aviation program will reach new heights next fall when classes are held in a new location at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth.
Both the Avionics Building on NW and the resources at Meacham field used in the transportation, logistics and flight training programs will be moved into a new facility formerly owned by Bell Helicopter.
“It’s just very exciting for students to have the program be all together in one building rather than separated between two different sites,” director of institutional and strategic development Margaret Lutton said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our students.”
TCC took possession of the 161,000 square-foot-facility April 1 and then promptly began renovation to make it a suitable learning environment for students. The new facility features a location on an active runway at Alliance and two large hangar spaces.
“It’s a tremendous and exciting opportunity for TCC in that we’re able to get a building such as this that’s in extremely good condition,” director of facilities planning and development Kirby Chadwell said. “We’re getting a very large facility with room to grow.”
In addition to providing current programs, the Alliance location will allow more space for new programs that weren’t an option before due to space or availability and the ability to serve more students.
For example, the new facility has a state-of-the-art painting booth.
“We could essentially offer continuing education classes for more in-depth instruction for painting aircrafts,” director of aviation Joe McCourt said.
Aviation technology classes will continue to meet on NW Campus until late July. Renovations on the new location are expected to be finished in time for the fall semester, McCourt said.
