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.

“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.”

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.

The development around the airport has been referred to as 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.