SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University broke ground Wednesday, Dec. 3, on its new $73 million-plus, state-of-the-art aerospace facility in Shelbyville, marking a major step forward for one of the nation’s most highly recognized aerospace and aviation programs.
MTSU’s Shelbyville operation plans, announced in September 2023, will result in an aviation hub that addresses the critical need for expansion and growth of the Department of Aerospace and its exploding pilot training program — while also meeting an important aviation industry need.
Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee addresses a crowd of over 100 inside a heated tent on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
“We have worked diligently and steadily to develop our flight plan for this new state-of-the-art facility that we will break ground for today,” MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee told the capacity crowd gathered inside a heated tent for the ceremony held on a frigid December morning. “We are marking the beginning of what will be one of the finest flight training centers in the nation, a facility that will reflect the premier status of our Aerospace program and position us for future growth and innovation.”
Dr. Sidney A. McPhee
Supported by $73.4 million in combined federal, state and university funding, this new base of operations will provide a permanent home for all MTSU aircraft, some of which were flown in by several student pilots in advance of the groundbreaking. With new hangars, classrooms, offices and ramp space, the project will accommodate future fleet expansion and offer dedicated instructional spaces for training the next generation of aviation leaders.
With 20 full-time faculty, more than 100 flight instructors, and over 1,400 students representing 32 states and 10 countries, university leaders believe the Aerospace program is poised to reach even greater heights once the new operations are completed in an estimated two years.
This artist rendering shows an interior view of Middle Tennessee State University’s new Aerospace Department facilities planned to be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport following the Dec. 3 groundbreaking ceremony. The Murfreesboro university is relocating its flight training program from Murfreesboro Airport to accommodate program growth. (Courtesy MTSU)This artist rendering shows an exterior view of Middle Tennessee State University’s new Aerospace Department facilities planned to be built at the Shelbyville (Tenn.) Municipal Airport following the Dec. 3 groundbreaking ceremony. The Murfreesboro university is relocating its flight training program from Murfreesboro Airport to accommodate program growth. (Courtesy MTSU)This artist rendering shows an interior view of Middle Tennessee State University’s new Aerospace Department facilities planned to be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport following the Dec. 3 groundbreaking ceremony. The Murfreesboro university is relocating its flight training program from Murfreesboro Airport to accommodate program growth. (Courtesy MTSU)This artist rendering shows an overhead exterior view of Middle Tennessee State University’s new Aerospace Department facilities planned to be built at the Shelbyville (Tenn.) Municipal Airport following the Dec. 3 groundbreaking ceremony. The Murfreesboro university is relocating its flight training program from Murfreesboro Airport to accommodate program growth. (Courtesy MTSU)These artist renderings show views of Middle Tennessee State University’s new Aerospace Department facilities planned to be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport following the Dec. 3 groundbreaking ceremony. The Murfreesboro university is relocating its flight training program from Murfreesboro Airport to accommodate program growth. (MTSU illustrations)
Stephen Smith
“This is a huge addition to our university,” added Board of Trustees Chair Steve Smith, who was joined by several other trustees for the occasion. “It’s another vehicle to help those students be great. I’m all about sending somebody out to make a difference in society, to make a good living and be a part of what makes America great.
“There’s a tremendous shortage of pilots, so we’re meeting a need. Aerospace is our largest school. There’s a huge demand for pilots. With our partnerships with Delta and Southwest, they’ll hire the people we graduate.”
Dr. Greg Van Patten
McPhee and Smith commended the cooperation of Gov. Bill Lee, recently retired deputy governor and transportation commissioner Butch Eley and the city of Shelbyville for helping bring it all to fruition. Lee spoke at the original announcement in 2023.
“The new flight training facility in Shelbyville represents much more than an expanded hangar and new classrooms. It reflects our unwavering commitment to safety, exceptional instruction, and giving every student the space and resources they need to train,” said Greg Van Patten, dean of the MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
Watch a recap of the ceremony:
“It’s also a commitment to this region. In partnership with the city of Shelbyville and Bedford County, we are building an aviation hub that will create new workforce pipelines and fuel economic development for Tennessee.”
Dr. Chaminda Prelis
Van Patten said there was “a significant ($6.2 million) federal appropriation secured through Congressman Scott Desjarlais’s efforts that was allocated to the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in partnership with MTSU.”
“This vision has been a collaborative effort of state and local government working with MTSU faculty, staff and students to ensure the future of the aviation workforce and economic development. The facilities we are building today will go a long way in supporting those efforts and our ability to expand for future needs,” said Chaminda Prelis, MTSU Aerospace Department chair, who was joined by many of his professional pilot faculty and those in other concentrations like unmanned aircraft systems, flight dispatch and maintenance management.
Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department Chair Chaminda Prelis addresses a crowd of over 100 who braved near freezing weather on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
“This is a partnership made in heaven,” Tennessee state Rep. Pat Marsh told a crowd of more than 100 in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility being built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
Years in the making due to the Aerospace Department’s extraordinary growth, the 2023 MTSU Aerospace-Shelbyville announcement detailed the program’s need for expansion and an eventual departure from its longtime home at Murfreesboro Airport to a new state-of-the-art training facility off U.S. 231 in Bedford County.
“This is a partnership made in heaven and I’m so proud to be a small part of it. … We’re so proud to have you here,” said state Rep. Pat Marsh, deputy speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, whose District 62 covers Bedford and parts of Lincoln counties. Marsh noted the positive impact the facility will have on the local economy and generations of students and community members, creating jobs and new business opportunities.
Quite the move
Paul Perry
Currently, MTSU has dual operations based out of the Murfreesboro Airport and Shelbyville Municipal Airport. Operations at the Shelbyville Airport are currently located in temporary facilities, which will be relocated to permanent structures upon completion of the construction.
MTSU alumnus Paul Perry, airport director for the city of Shelbyville for the past eight years, said MTSU flight operations will be on more than 25 acres, just south of the existing airport.
“We’re just ready (for it to happen). Everybody’s been asking (when). Now it’s time to see the shovels,” said Perry, who joined numerous stakeholders outside the tent Wednesday to grab shovels to make those first ceremonial tosses of dirt at the site. “It looks incredible on paper. Not only will faculty and staff be in awe, but students will be amazed.”
Ty Welk, a senior aerospace major at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and current MTSU flight instructor, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
Perry calls the development around the airport a U.S. 231 innovation corridor, with Shelbyville Airport, MTSU Flight Operations, a new Tennessee College of Applied Technology Shelbyville campus across from the airport, two flight schools and Motlow State Community College students utilizing an airport simulator. “All of the pieces work hand in hand. There’s a strong education emphasis.”
About 15 planes and 85 to 100 aerospace professional pilot students are utilizing the temporary facility for flight training.
MTSU senior aerospace major and flight instructor Ty Welk of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is excited about the move as his graduation approaches next weekend.
“This just goes to show that when the university invests in its students and leadership cares, students will succeed because of that,” said Welk, who chose to attend MTSU because of the passion and enthusiasm he saw with faculty.
Completion of the new facilities is expected to occur following a 24-month construction period. Until that eventual completion date, Aerospace Department officials anticipate that most of MTSU’s flight training and other educational programs will continue to be based in Murfreesboro and Shelbyville, with the aviation maintenance program to remain at Murfreesboro Airport.
“The city of Shelbyville is excited and honored to be the new home for the MTSU aerospace facility,” Mayor Randy Carroll said. “Our city council, legal department and staff worked many hours to make this move a reality.”
Shelbyville, Tenn., Mayor Randy Carroll speaks to a crowd of more than 100 on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. He said the project will be a “beautiful addition” to the growing community of Shelbyville. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
Carroll said he “personally thanks Dr. McPhee and the MTSU Board of Trustees for their leadership. Together, we have developed lasting relationships and memories. As the construction phase begins, we will see the vision become a reality.”
“We have great expectations for the educational opportunities and training offered by MTSU at this new Shelbyville facility. The future is higher than the clouds for many of the graduates of these programs.”
Added McPhee: “For Shelbyville and Bedford County, relocating our aviation fleet and academic programs to this great community will help transform the area into a true ‘university town’ and help bring all the benefits of our campus to the area.”
MTSU and the Aerospace Department have tremendous partnerships with Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Diamond and Piper aircraft, the makers of MTSU’s fleet of planes.
Alumnus Eric Wesley, pilot and Delta Propel lead mentor, praised “the hard work of everyone in the Aerospace Department” and described Delta’s partnership with MTSU as “strong.”
Middle Tennessee State University alumnus and Delta Airlines pilot Eric Wesley talks about the Delta Propel program partnership with MTSU during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million MTSU Aerospace facility being built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. Seen on a screen next to Wesley on stage is a rendering of the future facility that will serve as home to the university’s flight operations. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
“MTSU’s name is highly regarded within the aviation community,” continued Wesley, who serves on the MTSU Aerospace Advisory Board, which he said “cares deeply about the success of the program and the continuation of its rich, long history.”
Delta Propel and Southwest Destination 225° are special programs designed to steer future pilots toward meeting the airlines’ growing workforce needs. Wesley noted that there are 92 MTSU students or graduates actively participating in the Delta Propel program, and 21 have fully completed the program and are flying for Delta.
— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu), Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)
Performing the ceremonial shoveling of dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 3, for the new $73.4 million Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility that will be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn., are, from left, state Rep. Pat Marsh, state Sen. Dawn White, state Rep. Mike Sparks, MTSU Board of Trustees Chair Steve Smith, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee; and state Rep. Tim Rudd. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes addresses a crowd of over 100 who braved near freezing weather on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Shelbyville Municipal Airport manager Paul Perry addresses a crowd of over 100 who braved near freezing weather on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville, Tenn., facility. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees Chair Steve Smith addresses a crowd of over 100 who braved near freezing weather on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department pro-pilot students park their planes flown into the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to kick off the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million MTSU Aerospace facility that will be built on site there. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University alumnus and Delta Airlines pilot Eric Wesley talks about the Delta Propel program partnership with MTSU during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million MTSU Aerospace facility being built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. Seen on a screen next to Wesley on stage is a rendering of the future facility that will serve as home to the university’s flight operations. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)“This is a partnership made in heaven,” Tennessee state Rep. Pat Marsh told a crowd of more than 100 in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility being built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Shelbyville, Tenn., Mayor Randy Carroll speaks to a crowd of more than 100 on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. He said the project will be a “beautiful addition” to the growing community of Shelbyville. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Ty Welk, a senior aerospace major at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and current MTSU flight instructor, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee addresses a crowd of over 100 inside a heated tent on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Performing the ceremonial shoveling of dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 3, for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility that will be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn., are, front row, from left, MTSU Board of Trustees member J.B. Baker; Shelbyville airport manager Paul Perry; MTSU Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten; Shelbyville Mayor Randy Carroll; state Rep. Pat Marsh; Board of Trustees Chair Steve Smith; MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee; state Rep. Tim Rudd; Delta Airlines pilot Eric Wesley; and MTSU aerospace pro-pilot student Ty Welk; and back row, from left, MTSU faculty trustee Kari Neely; state Sen. Dawn White; MTSU trustee Pete Delay; MTSU student trustee Michai Mosby; and MTSU trustees Bill Jones, Michael J. Wade, Jimmy Granbery, Tom Boyd, Vice Chair Christine Karbowiak Vanek, and John Floyd. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Performing the ceremonial shoveling of dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 3, for the new $73.4 million Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace facility that will be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn., are MTSU representatives, from left, J.B. Baker, MTSU Board of Trustees member; Kari Neely, MTSU faculty trustee; Michai Mosby, MTSU student trustee; Bill Jones and Michael J. Wade, trustees; Steve Smith, Board of Trustees chair; MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee; Christine Karbowiak Vanek, Board of Trustees vice chair; and Tom Boyd, John Floyd, Jimmy Granbery and Pete Delay, trustees. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department students and faculty, along with MTSU administrators, perform the ceremonial shoveling of dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 3, for the new $73.4 million MTSU Aerospace facility that will be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn., are members of the (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department students and faculty, along with MTSU administrators, perform the ceremonial shoveling of dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 3, for the new $73.4 million MTSU Aerospace facility that will be built at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn., are members of the (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department Chair Chaminda Prelis addresses a crowd of over 100 who braved near freezing weather on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)Middle Tennessee State University College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten addresses a crowd of over 100 who braved near freezing weather on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $73.4 million, state-of-the-art MTSU Aerospace facility that will be located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in Shelbyville, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)
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