October 2, 2024
Architectural rendering of hangar expansion
When American Airlines Capt. Todd Zrimec flies with another NMC pilot, he’s confident of the quality sitting next to him in the cockpit.
“They’re the best pilots out there that we can be hiring at American,” said Zrimec, a 1992 graduate of NMC Aviation who is now a check pilot for American, training new captains for the airline, as well as an FAA examiner.
So he’s excited that NMC is breaking ground Monday on a new hangar that will allow the college to purchase more planes, which means accepting more students, which will address the industry’s need for more pilots.
“That’s a big deal, being able to bring more students in and produce more pilots for the industry with the expansion of the fleet,” Zrimec said. “Having facilities and equipment that replicate what students will use in the industry is a critical component for the students in their learning.”
The new hangar will expand the college’s aviation facilities and increase its capacity to train pilots by 25 to 40 percent, according to Aviation Director Alex Bloye.
Presently NMC’s Aviation program enrolls 50 students per year, but has a up to a two-year waitlist.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our state and federal legislators, donors and community partners who have made this project possible,” said NMC President Nick Nissley. “This expansion demonstrates NMC’s responsiveness to the needs of our region and our ability to deliver results.”
The current hangar is 48 years old. The renovated, 40,000-square-foot hangar will feature state-of-the-art facilities,, and a secure facility to store and maintain the college’s growing fleet of technically advanced aircraft.
“Thousands of pilots have started through those facilities. Those facilities met those needs. Now as we progress forward, we need updated facilities that match what students are going to see in the industry,” said American’s Zrimec, who also serves on the program’s advisory board.
Total project cost for the hangar is $7 million. NMC matched a $3.75 million state grant. The project also received $550,000 in federal funding.
The hangar is also the first project in NMC’s 10-year campus master plan, NMC Thrive. It is expected to be complete by August 2025, in time for the fall 2025 semester.
“I’m just extremely excited about this next phase of expansion. It’s really going to set the program apart,” Zrimec said.