WESTFIELD – Federal Aviation Administration officials from Washington D.C. were on hand at the Westfield Technical Academy on
WTA Aircraft Maintenance Technology instructor Galen Wilson (l) and John Feliciano FAA Flight Standards District Office Manager (r) flank Westfield Schools Superintendent and former WTA principal Stefan Czaporowski as the FAA awards the school’s certification for Aircraft Maintenance Technology training. (photo by Amy Porter)
Thursday as John Feliciano, Flight Standards District Office Manager at Bradley official conferred FAA certification on the Aviation Maintenance Technology program.
AMT instructor Galen Wilson spoke about what a proud day it was for him.
“I’m a 30-year Air Force veteran,” Wilson said, adding that when he got out, he thought, “This is my legacy. This is what I did with my life and I’m very proud.” But now he said that working with the wonderful students in AMT, he realizes this will be another legacy.
“This will be the best Aviation program in all of the country. That is my promise to you,” Wilson said.
“People said you guys are crazy, you’re never going to get this done. 2 ½ years later we’re here,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, who was in on the development of the program from the start.
“This is what can happen when institutions like this and industry step up and make it happen,” said Tony Janco, Sr. Advisor of the FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division in Washington, D.C.
“On behalf of the Bradley FAA, I applaud this school for your achievement,” said Feliciano in awarding the certificate.
Fran Ahern, General Manager of Gulftream Westfield (r) presents a check for $100,000 to (from l-r) Westfield Technical Academy principal Joe Langone, WTA Aircraft Maintenance Technology instructor Galen Wilson and Westfield Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski (photo by Amy Porter)
Following the presentation, Gulfstream manager and AMT Advisory Board member Fran Ahern said that he and Peggy Champagne, HR manager of Gulfstream, also wanted to make a presentation.
“For all of us in Aviation, we’ve been hearing about this technician shortage. For those of us in the industry, we’re affected by it. The airplanes don’t fix themselves. We need people to fix the airplanes,” said Ahern. He said he has also been involved in the program in some ways from the beginning, having supported the program financially with an initial $200,000 donation to be used over the first four years.
Ahern then said they would like to do more, and Champagne brought out a presentation check for an additional $100,000 for the program, surprising everyone in the room.
“It’s fantastic! Gulfstream has been our biggest supporter,” said AMT Advisory Board chair Ken Dromgold following the presentation.
Wilson said he already has ideas for the money. He said that the $100,000 could go towards improvements in the hangar at Barnes. The program plans to put a portable classroom outside the hangar that will have space for two classrooms, restrooms and a lunch room.
“Now students won’t have to board the bus to go to the hangar for the morning, and come back for lunch. We can stay out at the airfield,” Wilson said.
