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Central Washington University's aviation program is growing as the demand for pilots increases, but the department needs funding to expand to accommodate additional growth, administrators said.

This year the program added 75 new students, bringing the total to about 150 students. The department has projected another 100 students (based on current inquiries) in the 2016-17 school year, but at this point the facility cannot adequately house those students because there is not enough classroom or training space.

Central is approaching the state Legislature this year with a $3.5 million request for the aviation program. That money would be used to build additional classroom and training space.

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