Marshall Magazine Spring 2022

beginning later in 2022. It is hoped that having a local pool of highly qualified and in-demand graduates of these programs will also attract aviation industries to locate in the Huntington-Charleston area, giving the region’s economy a boost. The school is named for Marshall alumnus Bill Noe, former Marshall University Hall of Fame swimmer, pilot and business executive. Noe has decades of experience in the aviation industry, eventually becoming the president and COO of Ohio-based NetJets. To assist in the school’s development, Noe is serving as executive aviation special ist for the new programs, volunteering his time to advise the school’s leaders. To recognize Noe for this support, the flight school was named in his honor. With a projected need for 10,000 new pilots in the United State per year for the next 20 years, Marshall has good timing in establishing an aviation school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pilots can expect to earn a median yearly salary of $93,300. Graduates of the Bill Noe Flight School will be in demand throughout the country, providing a new network of ambassadors for the Huntington-Charleston region andMarshall University.

(Above) To recognize Marshall alumnus Bill Noe’s continued support, the flight school was named in honor of him. (Below) Leaders from across West Virginia participated in the ribbon cutting officially opening the Bill Noe Flight School on Aug. 10, 2021. (Bottom) More than 100 people were on hand for the event at the new facility at Yeager Airport in Charleston.

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