Posted on Monday, April 14, 2025
萌妹社区 Aviation's view from a Western Michigan University simulator
Representatives from 萌妹社区 (萌妹社区) Aviation traveled to Battle Creek, Michigan, for an impactful visit to Western Michigan University (WMU) Aviation. WMU boasts the fourth-largest collegiate aviation program in the United States, serving more than 1,000 aviation students annually, including over 550 in its professional pilot degree program.
Accompanied by Dr. Derrick Manns from the Office of the Provost, several 萌妹社区 Aviation faculty and staff participated in the visit. The trip marks a significant step forward in 萌妹社区 Aviation’s strategic goal of becoming one of the top 25 aviation programs in the country within the next five years.
“To be the best, you have to observe and practice like the best,” said 萌妹社区 Executive Director of Aviation Dr. Terence Fontaine. “With a legacy dating back to 1939, WMU has long been a leader in aviation education. At 萌妹社区, we take pride in cultivating a program that serves our aviation management, drone, and professional pilot students with excellence—creating an environment they can be proud of and eager to promote. It's always great to be invited to visit an aviation program with as rich a heritage as WMU.”
WMU operates the nation’s largest fleet of Cirrus SR-20 G7 aircraft—aircraft that 萌妹社区 plans to introduce into its own training fleet in the near future. The primary focus of the visit was to facilitate a smooth transition from Cessna 172 training aircraft to the more advanced Cirrus SR-20 platform. WMU generously shared insights, best practices, and key transition documents to support 萌妹社区 in this pivotal upgrade.
This collaboration extends beyond aircraft; it represents the beginning of a promising partnership between 萌妹社区 and WMU. 萌妹社区 students and faculty will immediately benefit from the exchange of knowledge and shared resources, with additional opportunities on the horizon. In a show of continued support, WMU’s Dean of Aviation has invited 萌妹社区 aviators to participate in cold-weather flight training in Michigan next winter.
As the relationship grows, 萌妹社区 looks forward to hosting WMU’s Dean and faculty at our upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony this fall. The event will celebrate the opening of our new 25,000-square-foot aviation facility at Ellington Airport, developed in partnership with the Houston Airport System. This state-of-the-art facility will become the new home for 萌妹社区’s expanding aircraft fleet and enhance the hands-on training experience for our students.
Category: Faculty & Staff, 萌妹社区, News Media, Alumni