Gov. Justice attends groundbreaking ceremony for new Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School at Yeager Airport

​KANAWHA COUNTY, WV – Gov. Jim Justice took part in a groundbreaking ceremony today to celebrate the start of construction on Marshall University’s new Bill Noe Flight School at Yeager Airport, just outside of Charleston in Kanawha County.

The Governor joined leaders from Marshall University and Yeager Airport for the ceremony, along with U.S. Senators and several state, county, and local officials.

“I could never congratulate Marshall University and Yeager Airport enough, along with all the people who have worked hard to make this wonderful day possible,” Gov. Justice said. “Think of the employment, think of the attraction to West Virginia this flight school is going to bring.”

The project involves the construction of a 10,500-square-foot classroom building and a 12,000-square-foot hangar.

Last year, Gov. Justice provided $400,000 in State matching funds to Yeager Airport for the construction of the new access road around the general aviation area to open up 25 acres of buildable land where the new Flight School will be built.

Since January 2017, Gov. Justice has announced $6,784,790 in funding at Yeager Airport, including $2 million last year from the West Virginia Infrastructure Jobs Development Council to help fund the construction of a new United States Customs building at Yeager Airport.

Gov. Justice has made investing in all of West Virginia’s airports one of his top priorities. In just over the past year, he has announced $24,817,981 in funding, spread among each of the state’s 24 airports.

“I’ve said many times that our airports are our lifeblood – they’re the number one thing when it comes to growth in our communities,” Gov. Justice said.

The new flight school is named after Bill Noe; an accomplished pilot, Huntington native, and former Marshall University Hall of Fame swimmer. In his professional career, Noe started out as a flight instructor before working his way up to become President and COO of NetJets.

When in full operation, the Bill Noe Flight School is expected to enroll more than 200 students and produce 40 commercial pilots annually. The school will offer a four-year degree for pilots.

The flight school is expected to be up and running by fall 2021.

“I thank God for this activity; what we’re building right here at Yeager,” Gov. Justice said. “Now let's keep doing all the great work we can possibly do and keep this ball moving forward.”