A new aviation education facility is taking shape at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), providing a permanent home for Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 180 and its Teen Aircraft Factory of Manasota program.
The project recently broke ground following 16 years of planning and efforts by chapter leaders to establish a dedicated community aviation center. The new hangar and learning facility will provide students with hands-on opportunities to build aircraft, develop technical skills, and explore careers in aviation and aerospace.
The facility will serve as a permanent location for EAA Chapter 180, allowing the organization to expand its educational activities and provide young people with practical experience in aircraft construction and maintenance.
Chapter leaders anticipate completing the first phase of construction, which includes the hangar, within the next few months. Fundraising efforts are continuing to support the project and future expansion of the educational facility.
The Teen Aircraft Factory of Manasota has already helped introduce local students to careers in aviation. Former participant Jack Mungillo, now a lead quality engineer for Honeywell Aerospace, credits his experience with the program for inspiring his interest in the industry.
The new facility is part of a broader effort to expand aviation education opportunities at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback has emphasized the importance of introducing children, teenagers, and young adults to aviation careers and developing a pipeline of future industry professionals.
For students in Manatee and Sarasota counties, the project represents an opportunity to gain real-world experience in a specialized field while learning skills that can lead to careers in engineering, aircraft maintenance, manufacturing, and other aviation-related industries.
Once completed, the community aviation center will provide a dedicated space for the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and professionals to develop their skills through hands-on learning.
