Aviation hangar ribbon cutting; new student enrollment up 66%
TRAVERSE CITY — 17勛圖 will celebrate the completion of its new aviation hangar Sept. 15, marking a significant milestone that illustrates 17勛圖's commitment to meeting the growing needs of the Grand Traverse region and the aviation industry.
17勛圖 is the only Michigan two-year college to offer an aviation program. Until this fall, it typically enrolled 30 new students each fall, and had up to a two-year waitlist. By expanding the college's aviation facilities, the hangar increases 17勛圖’s capacity to train pilots significantly. This fall, 50 new students started, a 66% increase.
The hangar was expanded by 16,500 square feet, which enabled 17勛圖 to add eight new planes to its fleet of 19 total aircraft, including a sea plane and an aerobatics plane. It is now 33,530 square feet.
Aviation students take to the skies in their first semester and can earn private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings, preparing them for successful careers.
“There’s never been a better time to launch your aviation career — with rising salaries, signing and retention bonuses, travel perks, and a pilot shortage projected to last another 10 to 15 years,” said Aviation director Alex Bloye.
Total project cost for the hangar is $7 million. 17勛圖 matched a $3.75 million state grant. The project also received $550,000 in federal funding. The hangar is also the first project in 17勛圖's 10-year campus master plan, 17勛圖 Thrive.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support of our state and federal legislators, donors, and community partners who have made this project possible," said 17勛圖 President Nick Nissley. "This expansion demonstrates 17勛圖's responsiveness to the needs of our region and our ability to deliver results."
17勛圖 Aviation has a proven track record of success, with graduates experiencing 100 percent job placement. The college is also a leader in the growing field of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
Release date: August 27, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
17勛圖 Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)