WESTFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Over a decade ago, Westfield Technical Academy began offering an aviation technology program to its students — the only one in western Massachusetts. Now, a gift from a local supporter is allowing these students to take what they’ve learned to the next level, and the program is showing their appreciation.

When you think of transportation at schools, your mind may go to buses, cars, or even bicycles. But how about a brand-new multi-engine airplane?

“Tremendous opportunity for our students to gain access to twin engine aircraft. To better align ourselves with the FAA curriculum,” said Career Technical Education Director at Westfield Tech’s Peter Tuloumis.

This Cessna 310 multi-engine aircraft was donated to Westfield Tech’s aviation program to help students get real-world experience working with a complex airplane. Benjamin Surner, a former pilot himself for fifty years, donated the plane after a heart condition legally forced him to stop flying — $100,000 seemingly down the drain, “under the FAA medical conditions I couldn’t get reissued my medical, so therefore I could not fly the airplane legally anymore.”

So, after letting the plane sit around for a bit, a phone call was made.

“Approached one of our instructors at the academy and said, hey, I have an airplane and I know you have an aviation department. Could you connect me with that person? And it happened to be me,” said the Department Head of Westfield Technical Academy Aviation Program Galen Wilson, “It’s a brand-new toy. And it’s tight. It’s ready to go. Matter of fact, we could jump in this airplane right now and fly it. It’s that ready to go.”

We didn’t take it for a spin of course, but students in the program confirmed it was ready through training today. They went through maintenance and inspection procedures, while learning about the engine systems and operational components in the plane,

“Working around planes, like, it makes me excited to see what I could do in the future,” said Westfield Tech student Korena Bradley.

So, what influenced Surner to donate it to a high school of all places?

“I graduated from Framingham Vocational High School back in 1959, and as an automotive mechanic, so I am a big fan of trade schools,” Surner said, “I just look at these kids, and I think back to where I was, and I think it’s great. It just makes me feel very good.”

As good as he was feeling, the students wanted to show their appreciation and make him feel even better. You see, Surner flew with a plushie of M.J. from Looney Tunes for fifty years. So, students put a sticker on the plane’s side — with Surner’s name and picture of the frog to commemorate him.

Even though he was giving up his plane, his legacy continued on.

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