http://www.news-press.com/story/money/2015/03/06/aviation-school-coming-punta-gorda/24537927/ (http://www.news-press.com/story/money/2015/03/06/aviation-school-coming-punta-gorda/24537927/)
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/30191155/charlotte-county-hoping-wmu-program-lands-locally#.ViTxx8saWNF (http://www.nbc-2.com/story/30191155/charlotte-county-hoping-wmu-program-lands-locally#.ViTxx8saWNF)
A couple weeks ago, the board for the university voted to relocate their university based flight school program to Punta Gorda FL. They are doing this to escape the bad winters in MI. FL has its issues, but you can pretty much fly everyday and move around the 4pm T-storms that roll through. They are hoping to begin relocation early 2016. I believe they also have AFROTC. Something to look at for you FL cadets. This is a FW only program. Since they will be located about 100yrds from my hangar maybe I can get them to add helicopters :)
Word is, classrooms for other education specific needs will be in partnership with the Florida Southwestern College campus that is about 1mile from the airport. Its going to be a great set up.
That's a cool concept.
My date was incorrect. There will be a very small group of existing students starting here in 2016. The entire program will be up and running first part of 2017.
WMU is smack in the middle of my AO. I have a few WMU students in my squadron and both my wife and I attended Western. Sad to see the program leaving, but the winters here really do suck.
Im not sure how their program operates. I would imagine their students end up as their CFIs. That would be the best way. But I have the Deans contact information. In the beginning maybe they will need a good looking bald Huey pilot who wants to moonlight as an SR22 instructor? ;D