(Left to Right) UCA Vice President for University Advancement and UCA Foundation President
Dr. Mary Bane Lackie, UCA Foundation Board Chairman Bret Carroll, Simmons Bank Regional
Vice President Justin McCarty, Arkansas State Senator Mark Johnson, UCA President Houston
Davis, Tina Cope, UCA Board Chairman Dr. Michael Stanton, UCA Aviation Academy Director
Dr. Brad Teague
Arcs of water sprayed across the taxiway at Conway Regional Airport Friday, Aug. 22, as the water cannon salute – a time-honored aviation tradition – marked the grand opening of the Bill Cope Memorial Hangar, which is home to the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Aviation Academy.
“In March of 2024, UCA officially launched its Aviation Academy with a simple but powerful goal: to meet a growing need for qualified pilots while creating pathways for Arkansas students to pursue fulfilling careers,” UCA President Houston Davis said during the grand opening. “Thanks to partnerships and private support, we are not just producing pilots, we are producing leaders.
“We are deeply grateful to Simmons Bank and the many individuals who believed in this vision early on.”
The Bill Cope Memorial Hangar was a privately-funded project spearheaded by the UCA Foundation. UCA Foundation Board Chairman Bret Carroll called the project donor-powered from concept to completion.
Simmons Bank made the lead gift on the project, naming the hangar in memory of Bill Cope who served as the bank’s chief pilot for five years until he passed away in 2024.
“Simmons Bank is honored to have made the lead gift to this project,” Simmons Bank Community Regional Executive Justin McCarty said. “We know this hangar and the activities that happen inside it will reflect the same characteristics Bill brought to everything he did – a generous heart, an adventurous spirit and a deep commitment to helping all succeed.”
Tina Cope, widow of the hangar’s namesake, said Bill would be humbled, but also deeply proud of the naming.
“Proud that this hangar will inspire and train the next generation of pilots,” she said. “Proud that his love for flying created friendships, built community and left behind memories that many of us share today.
“To Simmons Bank, UCA, the UCA Foundation and every donor who made this hangar possible – especially those who were not just clients, but dear friends – thank you. Your generosity is a lasting gift. And, to the future aviators who will walk into this hangar, remember this: Passion will keep you going. Determination will carry you through the challenges. And, joy is found not only in the destination, but in the journey itself.”
The water cannon salute is a time-honored aviation tradition and was used to celebrate the
grand opening of the Bill Cope Memorial Hangar, which serves as the home to UCA’s Aviation
Academy.
Other major donors and advocates who supported the initiative include: Rick and Mary Edwards, Linda and Rush Harding, The Crain Family Foundation, Dhu and Mary Thompson, and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and the State of Arkansas.
Earlier this year, Gov. Sanders announced support from the state in the amount of $750,000 for the buildout of the hangar and purchase of two flight simulators and other equipment for the hangar.
UCA’s Aviation Academy is a highly certified pilot training program offering multiple pilot licensure options, including private and commercial pilot licenses, instructor licenses, instrument and multi-engine ratings.
The academy launched in March 2024 and has already served 55 students. Student pilots train with eight instructors and use the new Tecnam line of aircraft, including P-Mentors and 2010s, courtesy of a partnership with Central Flying Academy.
