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A $4.1 million award from the Federal Aviation Administration will fund major infrastructure upgrades at the ������Ƶ Airport, strengthening one of Ohio’s largest collegiate flight training program and helping meet the aviation industry’s growing demand for pilots.

The airport, owned by ������Ƶ State and managed under the university’s Facilities, Planning and Operations division, is home to the College of Aeronautics and Engineering’s professional pilot program. Students complete more than 13,000 flights each year at the facility, representing nearly 90% of total airport operations.

“The ������Ƶ State Airport serves an important role in the regional and national transportation infrastructure,” said Dave Poluga, airport manager. “This project provides for the safe and efficient national access our runway delivers to the local community while easing the demand on nearby commercial airports.”

The grant funds the reconstruction of 3,700 feet of taxiway and 1,500 square yards of the Compass Calibration Pad Apron, both vital to flight training operations. A recent geotechnical study found the pavement had reached the end of its service life, making reconstruction the best long-term solution.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 to minimize the impact on ������Ƶ State’s professional pilot program. The runway will remain open during most of the work, with limited closures during tie-in activities.

Christina Bloebaum, Ph.D., dean of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, said the investment is about more than facilities.

“By modernizing our airport, we are giving students the resources they need to thrive in a competitive field,” Bloebaum said. “This strengthens ������Ƶ State’s role as a leader in aviation education and helps meet workforce demand for highly skilled pilots and aviation professionals.”

A Legacy of Aviation Leadership

The ������Ƶ State Airport, also known as Andrew Paton Field, predates Cleveland Hopkins, Akron Fulton, and Akron-Canton airports. Established in 1920 as Stow Field, it was the site of aviation milestones such as the christening of Goodyear’s first helium blimp, The Pilgrim, which drew more than 75,000 spectators in 1925.

������Ƶ State purchased the airport in 1942, and in 1946 Andrew Paton began teaching aerospace courses that laid the foundation for today’s program. The university assumed full operational control in 1966, aligning airport operations with flight training. The airport remains a public-use facility while serving as a dedicated training hub for ������Ƶ State students.

Planning for the Future

In 2015, the FAA selected the airport as one of only three in Ohio to participate in its Sustainable Master Plan Pilot Program. The plan guides facility updates to ensure environmental, financial, and community sustainability while supporting the region’s transportation network.

Today, ������Ƶ State is among a select number of universities worldwide with its own airport. The College of Aeronautics and Engineering’s program is the largest flight training school in Ohio and was the first in the state to be accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International.

“The investment in infrastructure is an investment in people,” Bloebaum said. “Our students graduate prepared to meet workforce needs in Ohio and beyond, and the improvements to the airport will ensure they continue training at the highest professional standards.”

For more information about ������Ƶ State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering, visit www.kent.edu/cae.