In its Aug. 5, 1939, paper, the Bulloch Herald reported on a bid by the Georgia Teachers College to gain approval to offer an aviation course. Earlier in 1939, the college was designated as a possible training center for aviation students by the Civil Aeronautics Authority in Washington, D.C. Formal approval by the University Regents would make GTC a training school in the CAA's new Civil Pilot Training Program, with ground training courses to be given at the college and practical flying work done at Statesboro Airport. As early as 1934, plans were made to build a new municipal airport.