SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va.– Shepherd University, Bravo Flight Training, and the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority (MRB) have announced a partnership to bring aviation training and education to West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. Shepherd is offering the academic portion of the program through its College of Business, while Bravo will deliver the ground school flight training classes, and MRB will host the activities at the recently renovated airport facility. 

Effective immediately, business administration students at Shepherd will be able to take Bravo’s ground school class and, upon completion may use this class for academic credit in their program. 

This is the first phase of an Aviation Program launch at Shepherd, which the stakeholders have been planning over the past year. All three partners have collectively stated that “This will be a transformational opportunity for our region and the state, and will support the rapidly growing businesses emerging in the area.”

“As we consider the growing needs of the aviation industry with respect to the shortage of pilots, airport managers, and other technical experts, this partnership provides a unique opportunity for Shepherd University’s current and future students to receive training for an exciting career in aviation,” said Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, Shepherd University president. “We are grateful to be part of this significant partnership, which will contribute to the economic development of our region.”

Nic Diehl, Executive Director of MRB, said, “We are delighted to partner with these outstanding organizations and to continue to grow the industry for many generations to come.”

For information about the ground school class and beginning a career in aviation, please visit Bravo Flight Training at https://bravoflighttraining.com/. For information about obtaining Shepherd course credit for flight training, contact Dr. Ben Martz, Dean of the College of Business, at 304-876-5007.