North Star Aviation, Inc., of Mankato has been selected to provide private and professional flight training for the Aviation program.
The contract, signed recently by the University and North Star President Mark Smith, is for two years, with options for additional years based on positive performance. The contract represents a renewed partnership between Minnesota State Mankato and North Star Aviation. North Star was the exclusive provider of flight training for the University's Aviation program from 1991 to 2001.
North Star was selected after it submitted a proposal for professional flight training services. The University's current flight training contract ends Oct. 31.
North Star, based at Mankato Regional Airport, is Mankato's only full-service, fixed-base operator. It has provided pilots, fuel, maintenance and aircraft support at the airport since 1991.
"We're delighted to be working with North Star Aviation," said Mike Miller, dean of the College of Education, which oversees the Department of Aviation and Business Education. "North Star provided a high-quality program for us from 1991 to 2001, and with this latest contract it has committed new resources that our students need to succeed in aviation careers today. We look forward to beginning this exciting and future-oriented new partnership with North Star in November."
North Star President Smith said orders for six new aircraft have been placed with manufacturers, with options for additional deliveries as the demand for such aircraft and training increases. Smith said all aircraft used in the training program will be painted at the factory using the purple-and-gold colors of Minnesota State Mankato.
"North Star Aviation is excited to work again with the University and its flight training program," Smith added. "It is our intent to bring new-generation, highly sophisticated aircraft to the training program so students can better prepare themselves for the high-tech cockpits of today's aircraft."
North Star manages the airport for the City of Mankato, dispenses fuel to local and transient aircraft, repairs and installs avionics communication and navigation equipment, performs maintenance on jet- and piston-powered aircraft, and provides pilot services for companies or individuals who own their own aircraft.
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Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
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