CWU aviation building ready to take flight

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- After being spread throughout campus for two years, the aviation program at Central Washington University has found a new home with the construction of a $1 million building.

"We didn't have a central location. That's why the new building is fantastic," said Amy Hoover, who chairs the aviation department. "We can finally house everything in the same place."

To commemorate the opening of the new simulation training facility, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled today, followed by an open house Saturday.

For about 15 years, the department was contained in a modular building at Bowers Field in Ellensburg. Due to issues with flooding and mold, the 5,500-square-foot structure was destroyed in 2007.

It was replaced by a 4,000-square-foot modular building that includes a classroom, four labs and five flight-training devices. Two of the new flight machines simulate a Beechcraft Technically Advanced Aircraft and a Bombardier CRJ jet aircraft.

The equipment cost $1 million.
Money for the building and the simulators came from the university's capital budget and was funded by the Legislature.

Hoover said she's excited by the equipment, which she described as the "wave of the now." The onboard computers and gauges are what go into airplanes used in the industry, giving students a huge advantage when searching for work, Hoover said.

She also envisions renting time and instruction on the simulators to people in the aviation community.

CWU offers the only state-funded, four-year aviation degree in the Pacific Northwest, and it has one of the only two Horizon Air direct-hire programs for graduates, she said.
There are about 180 to 200 students now pursuing a degree in one of four specializations: flight officer, commercial pilot, aviation management and aviation maintenance management.

About 80 students graduated last year, which included 30 students from Vietnam. The students were a part of a cooperative program with Vietnam Airlines and America Pacific University.

Four new Vietnamese students are enrolled in the program and 17 more will soon join, Hoover said.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.

Aviation facility opening

* WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house

* WHEN: The ribbon-cutting ceremony will run from 4 to 5 p.m. today, and an open house will follow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

* WHERE: Bowers Field, Ellensburg

* INFORMATION: www.cwu.edu/~flight