MTSU Aerospace makes connections with flight industry at EAA AirVenture in Wisconsin
Middle Tennessee State University's Department of Aerospace joined aviation professionals, alumni and industry leaders from around the world at EAA AirVenture 2026 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, reinforcing the university's reputation as one of the nation's premier flight training programs.
University leaders, including Provost Mark Byrnes, Trustee Jimmy Granbery, Aerospace Department Chair Chaminda Prelis and College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten, traveled to the weeklong aviation event alongside students and flight instructors from the Murfreesboro campus.
Known as the world's largest aviation gathering, the 73rd annual AirVenture attracted a record estimated 734,000 attendees from 98 countries. More than 15,500 aircraft operations took place during the event, averaging more than 100 takeoffs and landings per hour.
While in Oshkosh, MTSU officially accepted delivery of its 41st Diamond DA-40 training aircraft during a ceremony hosted by Diamond Aircraft of Canada. The aircraft joins the university's fleet of more than 50 training aircraft.
“We're blessed to have such a great aircraft,” Granbery said. “We're just proud as trustees to continue to promote and grow the program.”
The university also hosted a barbecue dinner for alumni and industry supporters near the EAA flight line, where Van Patten thanked graduates for continuing to support the department and maintain strong connections with MTSU.
Throughout the week, university leaders met with representatives from Diamond Aircraft, Piper Aircraft and Cirrus Aircraft, all manufacturers whose aircraft are part of MTSU's training fleet.
MTSU also gained national exposure through five video features produced by Flying Magazine and hosted by aviator and entrepreneur Jamail Larkins.
“We love coming to Oshkosh,” Prelis told Flying Magazine. “We've been coming to Oshkosh for quite some time now, and bringing our students, bringing our equipment, our faculty are here, even our provost.”
Byrnes emphasized the importance of the event for both the university and its students, noting that attendees had opportunities to network with airline representatives from Delta, Southwest, Endeavor and GoJet.
“Big-time programs are represented at big-time events,” Byrnes said. “Given the size and success of MTSU's Aerospace program, it's important that we are visible and active here at EAA.”
For students, AirVenture offered valuable career opportunities.
Reese Webber, a senior from Collierville majoring in Professional Pilot, said he met pilots from numerous airlines during the event's career fair.
“I think I shook hands with at least 20 different pilots at about 15 different airlines,” Webber told Flying Magazine. “It was pretty amazing.”
Byrnes also highlighted the department's long history of flight training, which dates back to World War II when MTSU trained military pilots. Today, Aerospace is the university's largest academic program, with nearly 1,400 students, including approximately 1,000 Professional Pilot majors.
“We hear from the airlines all the time. They need pilots,” Byrnes said. “We're doing our best to supply them.”
MTSU also strengthened its longstanding partnership with Civil Air Patrol during AirVenture. National Commander and CEO Maj. Gen. Regena Aye visited the university's exhibit and highlighted MTSU's role in hosting CAP's National Cadet Engineering Technology Academy, a partnership that has continued since 2017.
“We have about 60 cadets there now, learning about aviation career fields,” Aye said. “When you are on a college campus, and you get to experience what college students get to see and do on a daily basis, that inspires you to see yourself in that environment.”
For Webber, that inspiration led him to MTSU.
“Not only do you get access to a world-class aviation program, you're flying brand-new airplanes,” he said. “The flight training is magnificent. The instructors care for you, and it's wonderful.”
