Aerospace
Leading the effort to develop the aerospace economic opportunities here in North Central West Virginia is the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, known in short as MAAC. The initiatives that MAAC has in progress are many and varied. They range from educational efforts, assisting the companies here in the complex grow and develop, workforce development and general economic development relating to the aerospace industry. The MAAC ACT Program provides 200 hours of intensive hands-on training covering the basic skills and a general overview of the business environment in which aviation based companies operate. Pierpont Community and Technical College hires existing employees from the various companies to deliver the modularized training components.
MAAC
In addition to the work at the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University offers a program which was designed to address the need for locating entry-level employees with both a good understanding of the aviation repair and maintenance industry and the specialized basic skills needed in the industry. Aviation programs, including two and four year degree programs specializing in Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Electronics, Professional Flight, and Administration and Management, are housed at the Fairmont State National Aerospace Education Center located at the North Central West Virginia Airport. All Maintenance, Electronics and Flight degree options lead to FAA or FCC certification. The program develops a pool of ready-to-go potential employees for these aerospace industries and aids MAAC in its industrial marketing efforts.
FSU
In addition West Virginia University offers degrees in Aerospace Engineering. The aerospace engineering program at WVU is designed to prepare the student for a career in the aerospace industries and in government research and development centers and laboratories, as well as in military mission-oriented agencies. The undergraduate curriculum also allows the student to prepare for graduate studies in aerospace engineering and in other engineering and non-engineering fields.
WVU
Manufacturers are the priority at the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI). Located at the North Central West Virginia Airport complex in Bridgeport, W.Va. is the RCBI's North Central West Virginia location. This facility primarily serves the aerospace and aviation manufacturing, metals fabrication, machining and equipment industries.
RCBI Bridgeport Manufacturing Technology Center operations have expanded with the addition of the RCBI Composites Technology & Training Center. With the RCBI Composites Technology & Training Center, we now offer a clear focus on composites manufacturing - the production of complex materials that combine two or more distinct, complementary components to produce structural properties that are stronger but weigh less than their metals counterparts. A strategic partnership between RCBI and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the RCBI Composites Technology & Training Center supports the region's growing aviation and aerospace industries, the composites-manufacturing sector, the other commercial market sectors and the Department of Defense (DoD). For more information on the Robert C. Byrd Institute go to:
RCBI.
Aerospace companies currently located in the I-79 Corridor include the following:
- Pratt & Whitney Engine Services
- Bombardier Aerospace
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems
- Aurora Flight Sciences Aurora.
- KCI Aviation KCI.
- FCX Systems FCX.
- Engine and Airframe Solutions Worldwide EASW.
- FMW Composite Systems FMW.
