By Jeff Murphy,
April 16, 2020
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 As part of an unprecedented effort to provide immediate assistance
to airports across the United States, the 欧美视频鈥檚 Max B.
Swisher Skyhaven Airport will receive a $30,000 federal grant.
Skyhaven Airport, which is both an educational and community-use facility for the
Warrensburg area, is receiving funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program announced this week by U.S. Transportation
Secretary Elaine L. Chao. This newly created stimulus aid package provides $152.4
million in funding for Missouri airports through the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA). The program will serve 75 Missouri airports, and is one piece of the CARES
Act, designed to help the nation鈥檚 workers, families and businesses in response to
COVID-19.
鈥淭his $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of
our nation鈥檚 airports during this crisis and save workers鈥 jobs,鈥 Secretary Chao said
in a press release.
According to the FAA, grant funding will support continuing operations and replace
lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport
business due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds are available for
airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses including payroll and utilities,
and airport debt payments.
Funds will be administered through the Missouri Department of Transportation. UCM
will work in cooperation with MoDOT to determine how funding will be used at Skyhaven.
鈥淯CM is very happy with the availability of these funds and is working closely with
the FAA and MoDOT to access the funds in a way that will provide maximum benefit for
the flying public and users of the UCM Max. B. Swisher-Skyhaven Airport,鈥 said Terry
Hunt, chair of the School of Aviation.
UCM鈥檚 airport has long been an important part of the local economic landscape and
in the preparation of individuals who plan to work in the aviation industry. During
the past five decades, UCM aviation has grown from a program with only 25 students
to a comprehensive aviation education program that serves nearly 500 students, and
has a reputation for quality while seeking to provide qualified aviation professionals
who can fill a global shortage of pilots. The program has grown from a fleet of only
four Cessna 150s to more than 24 aircraft ranging from the Cessna 172 Skyhawk to the
high-performance Beechcraft B58 Baron, and includes a state-of-the art flight simulation
programs.
To meet the needs of the present and future, the school has developed a multiphase
renovation plan, which includes construction of an aviation center at Skyhaven Airport
to house the UCM flight school, FBO/terminal as well as offices, instructional spaces,
a dispatch area, a flight planning room and accommodations for public use. Learn more
about this effort by visiting .