INSTRUCTOR Brad Wortman pilots a Super Decathlon into a loop maneuver during a fall color tour over Old Mission peninsula. Wortman learned to fly in the Air Force and has been teaching at NMC for 12 years.

The Decathlon is one of 14 planes in NMC’s fleet and is used for tailwheel and aerobatics training, a distinguishing aspect of the NMC Aviation program. NMC is seeking state funds to expand its aging hangar and add more planes in order to enroll more students and help address the U.S. pilot shortage.