The Christian County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and the Christian County Public School System is celebrating the expansion of the Aviation Mechanics Program thanks to the donation of a small plane.
According to a news release, a complete Beechcraft Musketeer plane was donated to the Chamber through its non-profit foundation thanks to efforts by MAC Director Shannon Lane and donor Kenneth Snell. Snell is a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic and a Fort Campbell retired Veteran, along with his family, had agreed after speaking with Lane about his efforts, to donate their plane, which Mr. Snell and his family had owned for 22 Years.
Lane says, “Aviation mechanics continue to be in high demand in industries and the military. This donation continues to expand educational opportunities that our community’s children get to benefit from. Mr. Snell and I have a similar passion for seeing our community prosper and for its children to have the best opportunities to do the same. We are ecstatic to announce the items were secured and have arrived safely in Hopkinsville on the 2nd of February 2024 nearly a year to the day of the Helicopter making it into Gateway Academy.”
Gateway Academy Principal Penny Knight says, “We are excited to receive the plane on behalf of the Chamber and the Snell family. We are always looking for ways to grow our programs for our students. With the addition of the plane, we will be able to continue to add invaluable skills for our students through our Aircraft Maintenance Program.”