Averett University Takes Occupancy of New Hangar at Danville Regional Airport; Aviation Training Center Due Summer 2027

Averett University's Aeronautics Department has taken occupancy of a new hangar, the first stage of a new aviation training center project, and expects the full facility to be completed in the summer of 2027. Chief Flight Instructor Travis Williams showed off the hangar on Thursday. The university hopes to have full use of the training center when classes begin in August for the fall 2027 semester.

The hangar allows Averett to house more than half of its current fleet. A new aircraft is due in January, which will bring the fleet to 13, and Williams said about eight of those can be kept in the hangar. He noted the hangar is well insulated for winter.

The training facility, still under construction, will let Averett aeronautics students and students from Danville Community College's (DCC) aviation management program train in the same building. It is financed by a federal grant with a match from the City of Danville. Williams said the facility will include three classrooms next to the ramp, removing the 30-minute to one-hour transition currently needed between on-campus classes and the aircraft. He expects this to add at least one full flight block to the daily schedule, allowing more flight operations and more flight hours for students.

DCC will be only the second Virginia institution authorized to offer public aviation maintenance training. Williams said DCC's aviation maintenance technician graduates could take internships with the fixed base operation (FBO) that Averett operates at Danville Regional Airport and work with Averett's mechanics. The project also includes outreach to the Aviation Science program in the Danville Public Schools. Averett's aeronautics program has existed since 1981, and Williams credited the City of Danville, saying none of this would be possible without its partnership.