Columbia, Mo. — What was once a gateway for travelers is now becoming a gateway to opportunity as MACC opens its new Aviation Commercial Pilot training center in Columbia.
Moberly Area Community College (MACC) and the City of Columbia today celebrated the opening of MACC’s new Aviation Commercial Pilot training center with a ribbon cutting at the former Columbia Regional Airport terminal. The facility is home to MACC’s new Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Commercial Pilot program, which welcomes its inaugural class of 16 students this fall.
The partnership represents more than the launch of a new academic program. It brings new life to the former airport terminal, creates an affordable pathway into a high-demand career and demonstrates what can happen when a community and its educational institutions work together to address workforce needs.
The opportunity began when the City of Columbia approached MACC about establishing an aviation program at the former terminal. MACC and the City entered into a lease agreement in 2024, initially providing the College with approximately 1,900 square feet of space. In May 2026, MACC added another 1,057 square feet to accommodate a Redbird flight simulator and additional training space.
MACC has invested more than $350,000 in renovations to transform the former terminal space into a modern aviation education and training center. The City of Columbia has supported the project through forgiven rent and a Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) grant for startup instructional needs.
“This is a great example of what can happen when a community identifies an opportunity and works with its community college to turn that opportunity into something that benefits everyone,” said Todd Martin, President of Moberly Area Community College. “The City of Columbia came to MACC with a vision for putting this space back to work, and together we have created something that will serve students, employers and the region for years to come. We are proud to bring higher education into this building and to give students a pathway to careers in aviation without having to leave the region to begin their training.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Jacque Sample said the project demonstrates the value of partnerships that connect Columbia’s existing assets with new opportunities for growth.
“Columbia Regional Airport is the nation’s fastest growing airport, and having MACC’s Aviation Commercial Pilot Program right here at the airport is a tremendous asset for our community,” Sample said. “This partnership gives students the opportunity to learn and train in the same environment where aviation is happening every day, while also putting a former airport terminal back into productive use. We are excited to see this building serving Columbia and the region in a new way.”
From Vacant Terminal to Aviation Classroom
The former terminal became vacant when Columbia Regional Airport’s new terminal opened in October 2022. Rather than allowing the former facility to remain unused, the City saw an opportunity to repurpose the space as part of a broader community investment.
For MACC, the location provides an ideal environment for aviation education. Students will complete aviation-specific coursework and flight training at Columbia Regional Airport, while general education courses can be completed online or at any MACC campus.
The two-year program combines academic coursework with hands-on flight training through a partnership with ATD Flight Systems, which provides FAA Part 141 flight instruction, aircraft, simulation equipment and professional training. Students will work toward the FAA Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Certificate.
The training operation includes Piper Archer aircraft equipped with IFR avionics and a Redbird full-motion flight simulator. The program is designed to accommodate up to 24 students annually, with applications opening each January for students entering the program the following fall.
“We are excited to welcome our first students into a facility that was created specifically to connect classroom learning with the real-world aviation environment,” Martin said. “These students are not simply preparing for a degree. They are preparing for a career.”
Building the Aviation Workforce of Tomorrow
As a public community college, MACC provides students with an opportunity to begin their education and career training at an affordable cost while remaining close to home. For students interested in aviation, the new program creates a local pathway into commercial pilot training while combining flight instruction with an accredited college degree.
The program reflects MACC’s commitment to making higher education accessible, fostering innovation and responding to workforce needs across its 16-county service region. It also reflects the College’s vision of being an institution known for academic excellence, student success and responsiveness to community and workforce needs.
The aviation program embodies several of MACC’s core values, including Learning, Excellence, Access, and Integrity—providing students with high-quality instruction, modern training facilities and a direct connection to an industry that needs qualified professionals.
“The value of a community college is that we can respond when communities and employers identify a need,” Martin said. “This program is a perfect example. We can provide students with an accessible, career-focused education while helping build the workforce that will support aviation in Columbia and throughout the region.”
The inaugural class of 16 students begins training this month. MACC anticipates steady enrollment growth in future years as more students discover the opportunity to pursue a commercial pilot career through the College.
The opening of the Aviation Training Center marks a new chapter for a familiar Columbia landmark—one that once served travelers arriving and departing from the community’s airport and will now serve students preparing to take flight in their careers.
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About Moberly Area Community College
Moberly Area Community College (MACC) is an open-admission, public community college offering a wide range of degree and certificate programs designed to provide accessible, affordable pathways to education and career opportunities. MACC serves students throughout Central and Northeastern Missouri through campuses in Columbia, Hannibal, Kirksville, Mexico and Moberly, as well as through online learning opportunities. The College’s mission is to provide dynamic and accessible educational opportunities that empower students and enrich communities. MACC’s vision is to be an institution of choice known for academic excellence, student success, innovation and responsiveness to community and workforce needs.
For more information about MACC’s Commercial Pilot Aviation program, visit www.macc.edu/aviation/.
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MACC Department of Marketing & Public Relations
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