UCA Aviation Academy Breaks Ground on New Hangar
The room came to a curious hush as the hangar door raised and a plane piloted by Rhiannon Umfleet began its way into the facility.
Umfleet had completed a checkride to earn a private pilot’s license just in time to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a new hangar at the University of Central Arkansas Aviation Academy.
“Come on up here Rhiannon,” said Arkansas Sen. Mark Johnson. “We got a spot right up here for you. You can sit next to the governor.”
Johnson, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry were just some of the dignitaries making remarks at the groundbreaking. Approximately 250 individuals were on hand for the ceremony.
During her remarks, Sanders announced support from the state in the amount of $750,000 for the buildout and purchase of two flight simulators and other equipment for the hangar.
“Very few programs in higher education or government move this quickly,” said Sanders. “It’s because of the collaboration and partnership of so many people that this has happened. My administration was proud to help direct $750,000 to support this hangar, and I know that UCA, the city and the airport have been major supporters of the project.”
Castleberry said, “We’re excited about our partnership with UCA Aviation Academy. It allows us to enhance our workforce development programs. It allows us to offer internships and career pathways for students. As a city, we have continued to invest out here. We’re adding 500 feet to our runway and taxiway, which will allow larger planes to take off and land.”
After remarks from Sanders and other dignitaries, the ceremonial tossing of the dirt took place on the land space where the new hangar will be located.
Located at the Conway Regional Airport at Cantrell Field, the new hangar will be 10,000 square feet with space for simulators, offices, classrooms and airplanes. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by summer 2025. The UCA Foundation elected to fund the construction through a maximum investment of $1.5 million. The hangar is needed to support the growth of the academy.
“Our initial forecast of 10 to 15 students in the first year has been far surpassed as we sit at 55 students after 10 months,” said UCA President Houston Davis. “This new hangar space will accommodate that growth and what now is an expected demand of 100 students enrolled at any given time in the year. It will be exciting to see what we accomplish once this state-of-the-art hangar and educational facility is in place.”
Umfleet was one of several Aviation Academy students attending the groundbreaking, but she was also honored with a scholarship, the Annie Fitzgerald Award. This scholarship was named in honor of a retired Southwest Airlines pilot who now partners with the Aviation Academy to recruit future pilots.
Another aviation student, Zane Harris, was awarded the Ken Scott Memorial Award, which is funded by the Hendricks Family Charitable Trust.
The Aviation Academy was announced in November 2023 and launched in March 2024. The program selects 15 students for each cohort with three private pilot classes starting each year. More than 400 applications are on file at present. The academy uses three Tecnam P-Mentors and one Cessna 172, and eight instructors work with students.
“We are so appreciative of the many partners of the UCA Aviation Academy. We would not be as far along or as successful without the support of Governor Sanders, Senator Johnson, Rick Edwards, President Davis, Central Flying Academy, the City of Conway, the UCA Foundation, and our great students,” said UCA Aviation Academy Director Brad Teague. “I am proud that UCA had the vision to soar high. I am excited to see what the future holds, and I do not doubt that it will provide our campus, community, and state with a qualified workforce in aviation.”