Local aviation group outlines plan for high school aviation academy at Warren County airport

Representatives of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1700 told the Warren County Board of Education they have secured a building adjacent to Warren County Veterans Memorial Airport and are moving forward with plans for an Aviation Leadership Academy to offer high-school career-pathway training.

The presenters said they acquired the former Calco Corporation building at 422 Old Nashville Highway — described in the presentation as roughly 6,500 square feet on two acres — as a home base for the academy. The group also announced a donation of 15 FAA-approved flight simulators from Flight Sim Academy, described in the presentation as valued at $250,000, and reported that donors have provided three aircraft build projects valued collectively “up to $350,000.” The EAA representatives said the program will pair certified teachers with EAA mentors for technical support and FAA inspections of student-built aircraft.

Why it matters: academy organizers said the combination of a local facility, donated simulators and aircraft projects, and partnerships with higher education institutions would create a direct career pathway for students interested in aviation and aerospace jobs.

In the presentation, the EAA representative said the academy plans to use the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) high-school aviation curriculum, a four-year pathway that the presenters said is currently under discussion with the Tennessee Department of Education for possible adoption as a state standard. The presenters also described planned articulation and dual-enrollment alignment with Middle Tennessee State University’s aerospace program, Motlow College’s flight-training program and a local aviation-maintenance pathway at TICA Winchester.

The presenters gave a projected timeline for students: the program would accept students at grades 9–12 and the earliest realistic timeframe to be ready for FAA testing and flight certification would be about two years after a student enters the pathway, with the presenters noting that FAA rules require students to be 16 to take certain exams and 17 to obtain a pilot’s license. “Within about two years they’ll be ready to move forward,” the EAA representative said.

Board members and district leadership expressed support and appreciation for the work so far. Superintendent Dr. Swallows told the board he was excited by the partnership and noted the new building would allow the district to provide “tangible data and evidence” to grow further support. Chair Cope and other board members also praised the effort during the meeting.

The presentation included several specifics that the board may use in later decisions: building location and size, a donor commitment of 15 FAA-approved simulators, donated aircraft-build projects, curriculum alignment goals, and verbal commitments to mentorship and FAA technical inspections by EAA volunteers. The presenters said additional building and fundraising phases are planned to expand the facility beyond the donated building.

The board did not take any formal action on the proposal during the meeting; the EAA representatives concluded by inviting questions and saying they would provide further updates as the project develops.

Ending: Board members said they look forward to future updates as the EAA adds details about facility renovations, final curriculum approvals and any formal district partnership agreements.