SUU Guided Experiences: Aviation Hangar Tour
Published: June 23, 2022 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 2 minutes
In celebration of Southern Utah University’s 125th Birthday, SUU, in partnership with Visit Cedar City • Brian Head is hosting a series of guided experiences. These tours will showcase the University as never before. Exploring the past, present, and future of SUU, these guided experiences are a true celebration of the spirit of our founders. Our July event will be a tour of the SUU Aviation Hanger.
SUU owns and operates seven aviation facilities. Our four aircraft hangars provide space to store and maintain our large aircraft fleet. Every aircraft is stored in a hangar every night, decreasing weather-caused maintenance issues and lost flight time from icing and frost. We also have an on-airport training facility that houses our simulators. These five buildings also contain the majority of our aviation office space and more than a dozen classroom spaces dedicated to pilot training.
SUU's aviation program started in 2013 with only 30 rotor-wing students, ten instructors, two mechanics, and three helicopters. The very next year, the program had already grown to 150 students and moved into a larger hanger. In 2015, SUU started a fixed-wing program in addition to partnering with the Iron County Sheriff's Office and creating the Air Operations Division. This program comes at no cost to the citizens of Iron County.
Since our humble beginnings, we have grown substantially. SUU Aviation grew into five hangars, purchased ten new Cirrus SR20s, and enrolled students from 45 of 50 states and four different countries. We now have 38 aircraft, 600+ students, and 120 employees, including 60 flight instructors, 25 aviation maintenance technicians, and 9 aviation maintenance instructors!
Our guide will be Michael Mower, executive director and chief instructor of the Aviation program. The tour will be held on Thursday, July 7 and again on Thursday, July 21. Both tours begin at 7 p.m. Please meet in the lobby of the hanger located at 2410 Aviation Way. The tour will last approximately one hour and is free and open to all.
In 1897 the founders of Southern Utah University believed so strongly in the power of education that they risked their lives and finances for the privilege of building and hosting an institution of higher education in rural Cedar City, Utah. Their determination and grit are woven into the cultural fabric of SUU. SUU’s enduring legacy is built on 125 years of fortitude, determination, and community triumph. Celebrate with us as we explore our rich history and prepare for a bright future.