Welland aviation pioneer donates airplane to train students at Hamilton’s Mohawk College

An aviation pioneer who has been training pilots and technicians and overseeing the Welland airport for three decades has donated an airplane to support training for students at Mohawk College’s Centre for Aviation Technology.

The 1968 Cessna C421 Golden Eagle donated by Bruce MacRitchie will provide students in the college’s three Aviation Technician programs (Aircraft Structures, Aircraft Maintenance and Avionics Maintenance) with opportunities to gain hands-on experience with a twin-engine piston-pressurized aircraft. The Cessna C421 features equipment students will see on the job during their careers.

“We are sincerely grateful to Mr. MacRitchie for his generosity, which reinforces our collective commitment to providing our learners with exceptional training opportunities,” said Mohawk Engineering Technology & Aviation Dean Jeff McIsaac. “His gift will help build confidence and technical expertise in Mohawk College graduates, ensuring they excel in their chosen careers across the aviation industry.”

MacRitchie, 90, has been an institution in the local aviation industry since he obtained his first pilot licence more than 60 years ago.

When he heard about Mohawk’s Centre for Aviation Technology campus, based at the John C. Munro International Airport, he was interested in learning more.

“When I talked to some people about Mohawk, I said this is hands-on,” said MacRitchie, an honorary board member and long-time director of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. “I went and spent the day. I was only going to go for a couple of hours but I knew Mohawk was where I wanted to do something.”

The plane is part of MacRitchie’s personal collection, which was housed in his private hangar at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport. In June, he was on board with pilot Bill Chernish, who was taught to fly by MacRitchie, when the plane was flown to its new home at The Centre for Aviation Technology.

The Cessna Golden Eagle becomes the 13th aircraft in the college’s training fleet, offering greater access to practical training opportunities for the nearly 350 students in the college’s Aviation Technician programs.