you can screen baggage and passengers. You also have to have a holding room after your passengers have cleared security and before boarding. And on top of that, the 1970s was probably the last time the building had an upgrade. So, it needs a little facelift.” PILOT TRAINING AND AVIATION EDUCATION ON THE HORIZON Another challenge faced by the aviation industry, country-wide, is a shortage of trained pilots.“I don’t think the pilot shortage has slowed any,” Hunsucker remarks.“And there’s a backlog to get folks qualified and off to the airlines. We currently have two flight schools here (Saltair Aircraft and Sky ViewAviation), and I would love to be able to bring in a larger flight school in the future. There’s a need for it and we would love to help the commercial world meet that need by bringing in an interested flight school to Hickory.” In addition to pilot training, the airport also has an internship program for high school students interested in other aspects of the aviation industry. “Our first intern just started,” says Hunsucker. “He’s 157 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 06 HICKORY REGIONAL AIRPORT
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