Advisory board backs WTC aviation maintenance program, agrees to letters of support and quarterly briefings
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Summary
The Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board voted to support WTC’s proposed Airframe & Powerplant program, agreed to draft letters of support to the Board of County Commissioners and the school board, and requested quarterly briefings as the college pursues FAA certification and funding.
Colleen Strickland, director at WTC, told the Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board that the college is proposing an 18-month Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) program aimed at preparing students for FAA certification and high-demand aviation maintenance jobs. Strickland said the college is accredited, would make students eligible for Pell and VA benefits, and estimated course costs under $7,000 per course; she said the program could begin in August 2027 if FAA approvals and funding align.
The board’s support followed presentations and public comment from local educators, industry consultants and community groups. Jason Busey, a consultant working with WTC, described complementary specialty training such as nondestructive testing and advanced composites that could be folded into the curriculum. Community speakers—including representatives of local EAA chapters and CareerSource Citrus—urged stronger K–12 outreach and employer partnerships to build a pipeline for students and veterans.
The advisory board voted to support the college’s efforts and authorized staff to work with WTC to draft letters of support for grant cycles and legislative requests. The motion (as recorded in meeting notes) directs the board to: support WTC’s proposed A&P program, prepare necessary letters of support for grant and appropriation opportunities, and receive quarterly briefings from WTC on progress. The motion passed by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes.
Why it matters: Board members said the program would fill a regional workforce gap and create higher-paying local career paths. WTC representatives estimated start-up equipment and initial capital needs in the realm of about $3,500,000 and said they will pursue Florida job-growth and workforce grants as well as possible legislative appropriations. As next steps the board will work with WTC staff to draft specific letters for each grant cycle and hold minimal quarterly updates; the advisory board agreed to circulate draft letters to members for input before sending them to the BOCC and the school board.
The board did not adopt a funding commitment; members clarified that the advisory board has no appropriation authority and that any county or school-board funding would require separate action by those bodies. The board scheduled ongoing updates and asked staff to circulate a draft letter for review prior to the next meeting.
