By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Southwest Texas College’s aviation maintenance program in Del Rio is preparing for a major expansion after receiving federal approval to operate in a much larger facility on the Del Rio International Airport flightline.
The college’s leadership says it could triple enrollment and help meet growing workforce needs at Laughlin Air Force Base.
Connie Buchanan, vice president of the Del Rio campus, said the program has grown steadily since its launch about nine years ago but was previously limited by space.
“Our previous building really restricted the size of our classes,” Buchanan said. “Now that we have a larger FAA-approved facility, we can expand and serve more students.”
The old hangar classroom was 6,000 square feet while the new space gives them 14,000 square feet.
The Federal Aviation Administration inspected the college’s new hangar Jan. 28 and approved it as a certified training site. The approval allows the program to expand its airframe and general maintenance training and lays the groundwork for adding a powerplant certification track, which college officials hope to launch in spring 2027.
Currently, the program enrolls eight students at a time. With the new facility, instructors say that number could eventually grow to about two dozen per cohort.
Don McBlain, instructor coordinator for the aviation program, brings decades of experience to the classroom. A former Coast Guard aviation mechanic who later worked on multiple aircraft at Laughlin Air Force Base, McBlain said the expanded program will create opportunities for local residents to build long-term careers without leaving Del Rio.
“If it’s a certified aircraft, you have to have a license to either fly it or fix it,” McBlain said. “That certification lets students work anywhere in the world.”
Graduates earn a certificate from the college and must then pass FAA written, oral and practical exams to receive their Airframe and Powerplant license. The testing process can cost more than $1,200, a hurdle the college is working to address by exploring ways to include exam costs in the program so students can use financial aid.
College leaders see several opportunities for graduates in the region. As the base increases pilot training, the demand for certified civilian aircraft mechanics is also expected to rise.
“People will have the opportunity to get an education in Del Rio, get a job in Del Rio and stay and benefit the community,” Buchanan said.
There are also several airports between Del Rio and San Antonio that are in a growth phase.
Pedro Hidalgo, a current student in the program and a 2019 Del Rio High School graduate, said the training offers a path to the boom-and-bust cycles of other industries, especially oilfield.
“It might take a year or two to get a certification, but at the end of the day, you have a career,” Hidalgo said. “A lot of people look for quick money, but this gives you something stable you can build on.”
Entry-level certified mechanics at Laughlin can earn roughly $25 to $30 per hour, McBlain said, and FAA certification opens doors to jobs nationwide and overseas.
Buchanan said the aviation program reflects Southwest Texas College’s broader mission.
“We’re here to make a difference for the people in the community,” she said. “This program gives students a real opportunity to build careers right here at home.”
The writer can be reached at JoelaLangton@gmail.com .
