PHOTOS: Peters Concludes Annual Motorcycle Tour in Battle Creek

BATTLE CREEK, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) stopped at the Western Michigan University (WMU) College of Aviation to conclude his annual motorcycle tour. During the event, Peters highlighted the importance of skills training programs in preparing Michiganders to obtain good-paying, in-demand jobs. Peters also highlighted his efforts to bolster our aviation workforce amid growing challenges in the industry.

During the event, Peters met with WMU leadership, faculty, and students, as well as local business partners Duncan Aviation and Battle Creek Unlimited. Peters toured the College of Aviation's Flight Simulation Lab, then provided remarks alongside WMU President Russ Kavalhuna, Duncan Aviation Vice President of Aircraft Services Travis Grimsley, and WMU Aviation Student Josiah Bates. Peters also boarded a WMU aircraft piloted by President Kavalhuna, a former commercial airline captain who previously served as the executive director of flight operations at the WMU College of Aviation.

"It's clear that the aviation industry is facing many challenges, from pilot and maintenance technician shortages to the recent firings of support staff that help provide safe and successful outcomes for commercial flights. That's why I wanted to come here today to highlight the good work being done to help address these challenges, and see how we can work together to make these programs stronger," said Senator Peters. "WMU is home to the only comprehensive aviation program offered at a public university in Michigan, which makes this site an absolutely critical asset to our workforce development. Programs like this one are essential to meeting our workforce needs, strengthening our state's economy, and making air travel safer for all Americans."

"It is an honor and a privilege to have hosted Senator Peters at WMU as he wraps up his annual motorcycle tour of the state," said WMU President Russ Kavalhuna."Senator Peters has been a tireless advocate for WMU throughout his years in the U.S. Senate, and we are so incredibly grateful to have his support. It is critical for our students' success and the success of the University."

"Having the outstanding team at WMU College of Aviation in our community has provided an essential pipeline of skilled professionals for Duncan Aviation," said Travis Grimsley, Vice President of Aircraft Services at Duncan Aviation. "We're grateful that Senator Peters recognizes the significance of this program in helping address workforce challenges both locally and nationwide."

"WMU and the College of Aviation are equipping me to reach my goals of becoming both an airline pilot and an entrepreneur, while also surrounding me with a diverse community and meaningful leadership opportunities," said Josiah Bates, a student at the WMU College of Aviation. "I'm proud to be part of the program, and it's great to have Senator Peters here on campus to help highlight our efforts to train future aviation leaders."

To download pictures from the event, click here.

Peters has long supported efforts to bolster Michigan's aviation workforce. In the most recent appropriations bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters secured funding for Western Michigan University to purchase training equipment necessary to prepare qualified graduates for the aviation industry.

Last year, Peters helped pass legislation into law to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which supports critically important workforce development efforts. The law includes Peters' bipartisan legislation to promote women in aviation by making permanent a Women in Aviation Advisory Committee in the FAA, which makes recommendations to help strengthen the national aviation workforce by improving recruitment, retention, and promotion of women. Peters also supported a provision in the bill to expand and increase funding for the FAA's Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program to grow the aviation workforce pipeline and support the education and recruitment of pilots, maintenance technicians, and aircraft manufacturing technical workers. The bill also included provisions to grow the aviation workforce by addressing air traffic control worker shortages and streamline job pathways for veterans to work in aviation.

This year marks Peters' ninth motorcycle tour. Peters' tour also made stops in Fenton Township and Lansing. Peters is an avid and long-time motorcycle rider who founded the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus in 2017.

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