Colorado Northwestern Community College has reached the midpoint of the semester. Intercollegiate basketball is winding down and baseball and softball are gearing up. Students are studying hard for midterms and making plans for spring break (March 11-15).
This month, I would like to highlight one of CNCC’s oldest and most respected programs, aviation-flight. Nearing its 60th year in existence, the flight program has produced some of the most successful freight, commercial, military, research and teaching pilots in existence. It gave rise to the name “The Rangely Boys” known well at United Airlines and considered in high regard as being among the most well-trained pilots of the highest integrity and work ethic.
CNCC has a proud history in aviation and deep roots in the industry with partners and friends all over the globe. For many years the program has topped the national rankings as an outstanding two-year aviation program and its graduates are sought globally. Graduates identify the following as practical benefits to becoming a pilot: the opportunity to travel the world; six-figure incomes and incredible benefits; family travels for free; flexible work schedules; they don’t take their work home with them; and they are able to serve others. Aside from these realities, there are more jobs available than there are well-trained pilots. In fact, before the pandemic in 2019, the projected growth in jobs for pilots by 2030 was 10% and for aviation maintenance technicians was approximately 13%. Post-pandemic, due to the number of retirements, Boeing forecasts the number of new pilots needed over the next 20 years in North America alone will be 130,000.
At CNCC, we are preparing for the future of aviation, not only in terms of our student’s educational experience, but also regarding the workforce needs of industry partners. To that end, on March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration starts at 8 a.m. and a 5 p.m. reception will follow), CNCC will be hosting its NW Colorado Aviation Summit to hear from local and state-level aviation leaders and discuss the future of aviation in northwest Colorado. This event is free to the public but requires registration for planning purposes. Please contact Ms. Jennifer Mark at [email protected] or 970-675-3290 to reserve your spot.
As we plan the next phase in the aviation program’s future, our goals include expanding program capacity, opening opportunities for greater numbers of student pilots; utilizing aerospace research to continue innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and building upon the existing partnerships we have nurtured in education and industry.
To learn more about what sets CNCC’s aviation program apart, visit https://www.cncc.edu/degrees/rangely/aviation-tech
By DR. LISA JONES
CNCC President
