Marshall, West Liberty Announce Aviation Program Partnership

Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School is joining forces with West Liberty University to open a satellite location at WLU’s Wheeling-Ohio airport campus.

Classes are expected to begin in the fall of 2024. 

Marshall’s aviation program provides students with FAA certification in preparation to become commercial pilots of single and multi- engine aircraft. The partnership with WLU comes at a time when the country faces a critical shortage of pilots. 

Bill Noe, Marshall’s chief aviation officer, said the new location will use technologically advanced Cirrus SR20 single engine planes to train prospective students. The planes are fully automated with sophisticated avionics, including Garmin-outfitted instrumentation and synthetic vision technology; Bluetooth audio, engine and fuel monitoring; and dual alternators. 

The aircraft also boast weather and traffic monitoring systems and navigation as well as state-of-the-art safety features.

“These composite aircraft feature a parachute that will safely lower the plane to the ground,” Noe said. “When deployed in the unlikely event of an emergency, the parachute adds a final emphasis to our commitment to safety.”

Noe added that Marshall’s top-tier flight instructor force will further enhance Marshall’s mission of producing high-quality talented aviators to enter one of the most sought-after professions.

“This is significantly important as we open this industry and create ‘Line of Sight’ to the opportunities that aviation has available to the very talented pool of professionals from West Virginia,” Noe said.

Director and Chief Instructor Nancy Ritter called the collaboration an economic opportunity for the state and will provide careers for the next generation of aviators. 

“I think it’s the result of West Virginia as a state leaning forward into aviation,” Ritter said. “And the combined efforts of the universities to take advantage of what one university has already and say-how can I do that here, and how can we partner to serve West Virginia’s citizens better.”  

West Liberty’s interim president, Cathy Monteroso, said they have been collaborating with Marshall University on the idea for more than a year.

“We are happy to be partnering with Marshall University and are looking forward to building West Virginia into the premier aviation state,” Monteroso said. “This will be a great opportunity for students in our area to be placed in high-need careers.” 

Once fully operational, the Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School expects to enroll more than 450 students and produce 80 commercial pilots annually.