SAN MARCOS AIRPORT
US Aviation Academy has been awarded a $835 million grant for a 10year training contract with the United States Air Force to provide initial pilot training for flight officers. Under this agreement, US Aviation Academy will deliver Private Pilot, Multi-Engine and Instrument Rating training at its campuses in San Marcos, New Braunfels, Denton and Peachtree City, Georgia.
About 30 percent of the grant will be applied to the San Marcos airport location, according to Scott Sykes, Chief Development Officer for US Aviation Academy.
“US Aviation currently has about 15,000 square feet of hangars and about 7,000 square feet of offices at San Marcos airport across three buildings,” Sykes said. “The current total of 25 aircraft and simulators will likely grow to about 30 by mid 2026.”
US Aviation Academy started operating their Aircraft Technician program in San Marcos in May 2023, and began flight training in late 2025 in support of the U.S. Air Force.
Sykes said the company is actively looking to build additional facilities in San Marcos, hire more staff, and invest in additional assets.
“The students, about 70-90 at a time, will also live in the San Marcos area,” he said. “The training done in San Marcos is FAA Private, Instrument, and Multi-Engine in support of U.S. Air Force Initial Pilot Training, which is a prerequisite for Air Force pilots who will go on to train in the T-6.”
The company is also looking to upgrade their New Braunfels location, with plans to build out office and hangar spaces and expand to about 1520 aircraft/simulators.
The San Marcos and New Braunfels locations offer controlled and unconstrained airspace ideal for military-style training environments, according to a US Aviation Academy press release.
Training will be conducted using US Aviation Academy’s FAA-approved curriculum, glass cockpit aircraft, and standardized instructional methodologies designed to meet the performance and safety standards required by the United States Air Force.
“We are honored to support the United States Air Force in preparing the next generation of United States Air Force Pilots,” said Mike Sykes, CEO of US Aviation Academy. “This contract reflects the confidence placed in our instructors, facilities, and underscores our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes across multiple campuses.”
US Aviation Academy came under current ownership in January 2006. Over the last twenty years, it has become one of the largest professional pilot training platforms in the United States. The Academy currently has 230 aircraft, 2,000 active students, and 260,000 square feet of buildings across all of it’s locations.
The recent $835 million Air Force contract award will continue to fuel growth into the next decade, according to Mike Sykes.
