Small airport and training center in Mississippi selected to offer courses for “high paying” aviation jobs.

Panola County officials learned Friday evening (September 24) that Northwest Community College had chosen The Concourse to integrate seven and locate seven new aviation programs.

Panola Partnership CEO Joe Azar and Robbie Haley relayed the news to Panola County Airport Council, Batesville Mayor and Aldermen Council, Board of Supervisors, Partnership Board of Directors and to the new Panola County / NWCC Board of Aviation Advisors, among others, saying recent economic developments in the city and county will produce an “explosion of growth that will shatter Batesville and Panola County.”

Three questions from the NWCC resulted in a 96-page proposal that impressed decision-makers at Northwest who oversee the implementation of the seven aviation programs the school will soon be offering. These programs are aircraft maintenance, commercial pilot, agricultural pilot, air traffic controller, airport operations, aviation safety and unmanned aerial systems (drones).

“When fully operational students in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee can take full-time classes either on The Concourse campus or in classrooms and training centers at the airport, will enable them to earn an associate’s degree in one of these well-paying aviation fields. opportunities, â€Azar said. “From there, these students can get a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university. “
The Northwest program will operate on the Model 2 Plus 2 with Delta State University, which offers the state’s only four-year aviation program.

Azar said he believed Panola County Airport was chosen because of its central location, desirable wind conditions, the type of airspace for pilot training and exercises, and the cooperation city ​​and county officials to meet program requirements outlined by Northwest CC.

“Of course there are many, many other factors that come into play with this type of RFP, and everyone has come together to make our presentation reflect what we believe will be most beneficial for Northwest.” , said Azar. “In the end, it was truly a huge team effort and the citizens of Panola County can be proud that our county was able to land these programs.”

As with any large project, there is a long list of small projects that will need to be completed before students begin aviation training at the airport. This includes the construction of four buildings, estimated to cost $ 20 million, and the administrative details that will guide the day-to-day operations of an airport that will also be a full-time college campus.

“The first class in diesel mechanics started at The Concourse this fall and with the completion of each phase there will be more and more students in Batesville every day of the school year. Add to that the likelihood of 700 aviation students coming to Panola County for training every year and it’s easy to see that our region is ripe for exponential growth potential, â€said Azar.

Prior to the acquisition of a county airport, there was an airstrip nearby that William Faulkner frequented offering $ 5 air travel in the 1940s and 1950s. At that time in his life, it didn’t. was just a hobby he wanted to share with others.

In 1958, a Batesville Rotary Club quintet spotted a potential airport site. It became evident to business leaders that air travel would affect the county’s economic future. The land was soon purchased by Panola County from Carl McCown.

Following the county’s acquisition of the land, a metal shed was built which included offices. Since then, the airport has been operated under a management contract.

The first airport master plan was developed by Michael Baker Consulting Engineers and was adopted by supervisors in April 1959. The airport provides commercial service and is active in aerial defoliation and herbicide application.

The first runway was 3,000 feet long and was extended twice in the 1970s and 80s at 5,001 feet.

A new terminal was built in 2002.

The airport master plan is designed to be flexible and updated regularly by Garver Aviation’s professional engineering and consulting team.

More recently, in 2018, the airport was the subject of a concrete apron rehabilitation project. It will be discussed again in 2023.

In 2020, Panola completed a runway rehabilitation project and made electrical upgrades, including a state-of-the-art electric vault.

In 2021, the airport installed a new beacon. The new beacon has increased visibility and improved the safety of airport operations. The beacon is installed in a tilting post to allow easy access and repairs which will minimize downtime in the event of a malfunction.

Also, in 2021, the airport is undergoing the rehabilitation of its parallel taxiway and should be completed this year.

Basically, an upgrade rotation is addressed each year; runway, taxiway and apron.

The next roadway rehabilitation project is expected to be tendered in 2022 and will rehabilitate the deck by 2023.

Other upcoming projects planned for the next few years are the removal of runway and taxiway lights and signs and their replacement with LED lights, improvement of the terminal access area, parking and fences.

The airport is also currently working on improving the fuel fleet. A new Jet-A fuel installation is underway and awaiting delivery. The new 12,000-gallon Jet-A tank with self-service capabilities will be operational by November 2021. The airport will also complete the installation of a new 12,000-gallon AV-Gas tank unit with capacity. self-service by summer 2022.

Other medium-term and future development projects are the development of caisson hangars and T-hangars, construction of additional taxi lanes and aprons, parking areas, runway extension, development of parallel west traffic lanes, development of sheds on the west side and improvements to fences.