At the Texarkana College Trustees meeting on Monday, college president Dr. Jason Smith reported that TC’s Aviation Program is on track for the Fall 2024 start-up of an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic training program. The program is in partnership with the Texarkana Regional Airport and will be located on the airport grounds. Paul Mehrlich, Executive Director of Aviation for the Airport, attended the meeting and provided an update on the partnership and need for the program.
“The Texarkana Regional Airport will be leasing an existing 23,000 square foot building to TC to operate their program,” said Mehrlich. “TC has a long history with the Airport, having previously had a flight program here in the 1970s.”
The Texarkana Regional Airport has begun work on a 20-year master plan to meet future transportation demands created by growth from regional economic development groups. Mehrlich said the long-standing partnership with TC, and the availability of space to house the training program, provides great potential to help expand the Airport and provide jobs to support the aviation industry.
