By: Cameron Green

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — The city of Fayetteville and the OSM Aviation Academy have announced a new commercial pilot training school. This comes after unanimous approval lease agreement from the Fayetteville city council in March.

The program will potentially support up to 100 aircraft and produce 700 graduates annually. Operations will start with a small fleet and grow over time.

Training opportunities for Arkansas students will begin in 2027. The five year lease gives OSM Aviation Academy permission to use the facilities at Drake Field.

The OSM Aviation Academy has been training pilots since 1963 and is headquartered in Norway. It is one of the largest flight training institutions in Europe.

“This investment strengthens Drake Field, creates new jobs and brings new energy and activity to our city.” Said Molly Rawn, mayor of Fayetteville. “This is the kind of opportunity Fayetteville is working to attract, and we’re proud to have landed it.”

She also said the training academy will bring students from around the world in to Fayetteville making it a destination for global aviation training.

It will be one of the more major additions that Drake Field has received in a long time. The City and OSM Aviation Academy will continue facility improvements throughout the process.

The Fayetteville Economic Department focuses on attracting projects that impact success for the city. These include bringing in new jobs and new pathways for growth.

Drake Field is said to be a desirable location for this training for multiple reasons.

“Drake Field and Fayetteville are the perfect location for OSM Aviation Academy’s flagship U.S. Training hub.” Said Martin Floor, CEO of OSM Aviation Academy. “Its year round flyable climate, accessible airport and airspace, and vibrant university-city give students the ideal setting for intensive professional aviation training.”

The program is designed to prepare pilots for immediate entry into Aviation careers following their training.