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Butler Tech outlines aviation center expansion; $15.5 million funding, 3-year program and FAA maintenance pathway planned
Summary
Butler Tech and partners told council the new Aviation Center at Middletown Regional Airport will serve about 175–200 students, offer FAA airframe and powerplant training, aerospace engineering and pilot pathways, and is funded with roughly $15.5 million from multiple sources.
Butler Tech officials gave City Council an update on July 15 about the new Aviation Center being built at the Middletown Regional Airport, describing program expansion, industry partnerships and funding sources.
Superintendent William Sprinkles, assistant superintendent Kristen Abedacker and Butler Tech principal (Aviation Center) said the project will expand an existing program that historically served about 50 juniors and seniors to a three-year model that admits students in 10th grade. The new center is planned to serve roughly 175–200 high-school students and will include three primary pathways: (1) airframe and power plant (A&P) maintenance with FAA certification goals, (2) aerospace engineering and (3) private pilot training and unmanned aerial systems.
Funding and partners: Butler Tech reported roughly $15.5 million in project funding: Butler Tech contributed $7 million; the Butler County commissioners allocated $7 million; JobsOhio provided $1 million through the Site Inventory program; the City of Middletown committed $500,000; and Butler Tech has a federal earmark request for about $700,000. Project partners identified included Magellan Aerospace, StandardAero and Middletown Regional Airport operations.
Timeline and capacity: Construction is underway and the presenters said the center could open in early 2026, with students shifting from split-day classes to a single, on-site program once the building is ready. The program will move from a two-year to a three-year model so students can begin as sophomores; Butler Tech said that change is necessary to meet FAA Part 147 and A&P credentialing timelines. Officials also said they are exploring adult-education evening classes for the A&P pathway about 18–24 months after the secondary program is established.
Why it matters: presenters framed the Aviation Center as a workforce-development and economic-development asset that can supply technicians, engineers and pilots to area employers and attract related businesses.
Ending: Officials asked council and the community to help spread awareness and to consider site visits; staff and presenters said they would share more details as construction proceeds.
