Averett University Expands Aviation Training Facilities
A new hangar and training center in Danville aim to boost flight hours and student access.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Air Travel
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Averett University has opened a new hangar at the Danville Regional Airport to house more than half of its 13-aircraft fleet. The expansion is part of a larger project to enhance aviation training operations for students.
Why it matters
The new facility aims to significantly increase daily flight operations by reducing the transition time between campus classrooms and the flight ramp by 30 to 60 minutes.
The new hangar accommodates eight aircraft, providing critical insulation during winter months for over half the university fleet. The adjacent training facility integrates three classrooms directly at the flight ramp to streamline student training schedules.
The players
Averett University
An educational institution based in Danville that has hosted an aviation program since 1981.
Danville Community College
A local higher education institution that partners with the university to provide specialized aviation maintenance training.
City of Danville
The local municipal government that provided funding for the aviation training facility expansion.
The details
Funded by the City of Danville and a federal grant, the project includes three classrooms designed to support the partnership between Averett University and Danville Community College. This infrastructure upgrade is intended to modernize training for the university's aviation program, which dates back to 1981.
Timeline
The university aviation program was established in 1981.
A new hangar opened in October 2026.
A new aircraft is scheduled for delivery in January 2027.
Construction of the new training facility is set for completion in the summer of 2027.
Full use of the new training center for classes is planned for August 2027.
Travel Outlook
This expansion follows a pattern set by federal grant programs designed to improve regional aviation training infrastructure. The move positions the university to better compete for students in the Southside Virginia region by upgrading aging facilities to modern standards.
Students and faculty in the aviation program should anticipate a more centralized workflow once the new training center opens in August 2027. The integration of classrooms at the flight line will reduce daily transit times and simplify the logistics of managing a 13-aircraft fleet.
The takeaway
Centralizing aviation facilities directly at the flight ramp serves as a model for maximizing efficiency in flight training. Students can expect shorter travel times between theory and practice, which is critical for meeting flight hour requirements.
What happens next
A new aircraft is scheduled to arrive in January 2027, followed by the planned opening of the full training center in August 2027.
Further reading
For more developments in local aviation, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Winston-Salem Journal.
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