Aviation to partner with Crosswinds
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College will begin offering aviation classes this summer in Howell, Michigan, through a new partnership with Crosswinds Aviation called the Taking Flight Initiative.
The agreement is expected to help meet demand for flight training in the region between Lansing and Detroit as well as provide a pipeline to NMC’s aviation program, which currently enrolls 5 former Crosswinds students.
In cooperation with the Howell Public Schools, the Livingston Educational Services Agency, and the Capital Area Career Center, Crosswinds Aviation, a private flight school, currently offers a number of high school aviation courses that reached enrollment capacity in 2015.
“Crosswinds sees NMC as an exceptional choice for collegiate flight training in Michigan, and has become powerful advocates of ours,” said Aviation Division Director Alex Bloye. “We see Crosswinds as a school with excellent standards in training, a modern fleet similar to that of NMC’s, and a capacity in talent to train professional pilots.”
“The aviation industry is experiencing a significant pilot shortage which is creating an environment of extraordinary career earning potential for new pilots,” said Crosswinds Aviation owner Matt Dahline. “This agreement with NMC is about removing barriers for students who are interested in becoming a pilot. The Taking Flight Initiative gives students the ability to enroll in a college aviation program and take advantage of Federal Aid to help fund their flight training.”
The first course, AVF 111, Private Pilot Flight, will be offered in May at the Crosswinds campus in Howell. NMC Aviation will provide oversight of flight instructors employed by Crosswinds, and retain all tuition and a percentage of instruction fees. Crosswinds would hold all operational control and liability of aircraft, and would retain all aircraft rental fees.
There will be a signing ceremony at Crosswinds Aviation Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Students and parents are invited to an informational open house about the Taking Flight Initiative Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 6 p.m. at Crosswinds Aviation. Crosswinds is located at 3808 W. Grand River, Howell, Mich.
About NMC Aviation: Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017, NMC Aviation allows students to begin flying their first semester and earn Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor, Instrument Flight Instructor and Seaplane ratings as well as an associate degree. Articulation agreements facilitate easy transfer to a four-year school for a bachelor’s degree. A robust international aviation partnership allows students to study abroad. NMC is also a leader in the growing field of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) training and offers certification exams.
Release Date: March 1, 2017
For More Information:
Alex Bloye
NMC Director of Aviation
abloye@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2929
Matt Dahline
Crosswinds Aviation owner
matt@crosswindsaviation.com
(517) 552-1101