CVTC Aviation Training Center Ribbon Cutting

State and local officials, legislators, members of the aviation industry, and many others convened at the Richard B. Russell Regional Airport/J.H. Towers Field to view the newest addition to the airport, the Coosa Valley Technical College Aviation Training Center.

Guests were welcomed by Bob Berry, Chair, Coosa Valley Technical College’s Board of Directors. Speakers included Thom Holt, Airport Commission; Dr. Craig McDaniel, President, Coosa Valley Technical College; Jerry Jennings, Chairman, Floyd County Board of Commissioners; Wayne Vick, Chairman, Airport Commission; Randy Quick, Chair of the Board of Directors, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce; Katie Dempsey, Representative, Georgia House District 13; and Jon Byrd, Aviation Programs Director, Coosa Valley Technical College.

Floyd County and Coosa Valley Technical College (CVTC) were happy to show off the state of the art facility that is approximately 30,744 square feet with five classrooms and eight labs for both Aviation Maintenance Technology and Avionics Maintenance Technology. The training center includes a large airframe lab, powerplant lab, five additional Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) curriculum labs, and a technical library/reference lab. It will also house a written testing center for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Center for Aircraft Technical Training (NCATT) certifications and licensure.

“CVTC’s Aviation Training Center will bring jobs to Rome and Floyd County,” stated McDaniel. “This is a good day not only for Coosa Valley Technical College, but for all of northwest Georgia.”

Jennings told the group about the steps in the development of the Aviation Training Center- vision, funding, building, teaching the program, and reaping the benefits. “This is truly the celebration of a partnership,” Jennings said. “We are looking forward to the programs being up and running and for the benefits to the community.”

Pending accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and FAA approval and certification, CVTC plans to begin the inaugural Aviation Maintenance Technology class on September 30, 2008, and the Avionics Maintenance Technology classes are tentatively scheduled to launch in January 2009.