Aviation Center of Excellence

The Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence will honor its second cohort of United States Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps cadets at a graduation ceremony to mark the completion of their training. The ceremony will take place on Friday, July 29 at 3 p.m. at the Fairmont State University Hangar B, Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in Bridgeport.

This week, the Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence welcomed its inaugural class of cadets to the summer 2021 U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Flight Academy, a program that is offered by just 25 universities across the country through a partnership with the U.S. Air Force.  

“Every one of these cadets is so sharp, and you can really see their promise,” said Joel Kirk, Chief Pilot and Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence Director. 

During a ceremony at the North Central West Virginia Airport, Victoria Grace was recognized as the first woman to complete her Private Pilot Single Engine Land Rating through West Virginia’s only part 141 flight school which is operated by Fairmont State University.