American Eagle and ExpressJet are the two largest regional airline systems in the world, with nearly 4,000 daily flights to more than 200 airports throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. “The more airlines that we can develop that relationship with and sign an agreement with, the better,” said Reichard, who retired after 15 years with ExpressJet. These agreements will be even more important as the demand rises for airline pilots, he added. 

“There’s a pilot shortage that is just beginning, and it’s going to continue to get larger and larger in the next 10 years,” he said. “The numbers are absolutely amazing. We’re talking 50 to 60,000 pilots they’re going to need.” The School of Aeronautics, in turn, anticipates a continued trend of climbing enrollment and an expansion of its Freedom Aviation flight operations center at Lynchburg Regional Airport. It is also exploring expansion opportunities at other airports in Virginia. 

“We haven’t put a cap as far as the number of students and our program is continuing to grow,” Reichard said. “It’s tripled in size in the seven years that I’ve been here, so it’s amazing the growth that has taken place. Now at some point, we’re going to reach a limit where this airport can only hold so much traffic. But we haven’t maxed out the airfield capability yet.” 

The Liberty University School of Aeronautics has grown from four students to more than 700 in the last 10 years and is currently the largest faith-based university aviation program in the country. The school offers a variety of online and residential programs, including a bachelor’s degree with concentrations in military aviation, missionary aviation, commercial/corporate aviation, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as flight attendant training.