August 27, 2026

CWU expands aviation program with new Ellensburg training complex

Photo from CWU [enlarge]

CWU’s Flight Training Center boasts a fleet of 19 aircraft, including 14 Piper Archers equipped with next generation flight deck technology by Garmin.

Central Washington University (CWU) celebrated National Aviation Day last week showcasing its aviation program and big improvements to come.

Currently CWU's aviation program operates in three locations: on campus classrooms, the Aviation Training Center north of campus near Bowers Field, and the flight training center (FTC) at Ellensburg's Bowers Field, 1101 Bowers Road.

The FTC boasts a fleet of 19 aircraft, including 14 Piper Archers equipped with next-generation flight deck technology by Garmin. The fleet also has Piper Seminoles and a Cessna 172R. There are six state-of-the-art flight simulators at the FTC.

And CWU has big plans for the FTC to become a full training complex, combining all programs at the Bowers Field FTC. It is expected to be open for use in 2028. A joint effort of LMN and Corgan has been selected through a bidding process.

Assistant Professor Anthony Davis says, “We got $10 million in funding from the state in 2025. We placed the request to the state more than 15 years ago, so this was exciting news for us.”

The new facility will include classroom capacity for 40 students, study areas for students, conference rooms, and an additional simulator room with three flight simulators. The new facility will serve many more students than the current enrollment for fall 2026, which stands at about 160 students.

The CWU Professional Pilot major prepares graduates for entry-level careers and leadership roles in the aviation community. Students select one of two technical specializations leading to a Bachelor of Science degree of Professional Pilot, which prepares graduates to become flight officers and commercial pilots.

According to the Boeing 2026 Pilot and Technical Outlook (PTO) report, published in July, demand for pilots over the next 20 years in North America alone exceeds 100,000, with equal demand for aviation technicians.

Demand is high for the CWU program. According to a recent AFM.aero story, CWU's current application data states that more than 300 candidates applied for 65 open Professional Pilot places in the 2025 admissions cycle.