The Moberly Area Community College is launching a new commercial pilot training center at the former Columbia Regional Airport terminal.
MACC and local leaders held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, marking the opening of the renovated facility.
The college invested more than $350,000 in the terminal, which closed in 2022.
The center includes classrooms, a flight simulator and a single-engine aircraft.
MACC is offering a two-year program that prepares students for FAA private, instrument and commercial pilot certificates.
Sixteen students are enrolled in the inaugural class, including Moberly graduate Cesar Banales, who says the program allowed him to pursue aviation without leaving mid-Missouri.
Classes begin August 24, with the program able to train up to 24 students each year.