NIC Adds Aircraft Maintenance

During World War II, North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene trained hundreds of pilots, aircraft mechanics and aviation technicians as part of the nation’s war effort. By 1947 NIC had the nation’s only combination watchmaking and aviation instrument repair program, operating at Weeks Field, now the North Idaho Fairgrounds. But during the Korean War years, the college shifted to programs like auto mechanics and closed its extensive aviation offerings. Now, NIC has come full circle, as it makes the final addition to Aerospace Center of Excellence, which opened in 2013 with programs focused on airplane manufacturing. Next month, the center kicks off its new, aircraft maintenance program certified by the Federal Aviation Administration/ Betsy Z. Russell , Eye on Boise. More here. (SR photo: Director Patrick O’Halloran of the North Idaho College Aerospace Center in Hayden)