Don Bishop, InDyne President and CEO, Donates a Metroliner Aircraft to Pensacola State College

C. Donald Bishop, President and CEO, InDyne, Inc. Reliance Test & Technology (RT&T) Chairman of the Board and CEO Donates a Metroliner Aircraft  to Pensacola State College.
Pensacola State College announced the donation of a Fairchild Merlin IV aircraft by Don Bishop, InDyne CEO and President. The aircraft will be used in the College’s Aviation Airframe Mechanics and Aviation Power Plant Mechanics (A&P Mechanics) Program. 

Don Bishop stated, “We are very pleased to provide the Merlin IV-C Metroliner to Pensacola State College for the benefit of the students and the community. It will bring a new dimension to the opportunities afforded PSC and its students for years to come.” Students enrolled in the program will experience a training environment as the aircraft offers an opportunity to work on a Metroliner, which is a larger aircraft than programs typically have at their disposal.

Pensacola State College’s program is a partnership between the College, partnership between ST Engineering, Triumph Gulf Coast, the City of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County Economic Development providing students the opportunity to graduate as certified aviation mechanics in a program aligned with FAA regulations. The program will allow “direct-to-industry” employment due to the program and program partners. Mr. Bishop’s donation will provide a valuable resource for aspiring aviation technicians. Instructors will be able to provide hands-on instruction that would help students develop the skills necessary to pass Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exams.

“This aircraft will give students access to aircraft maintenance logs and training opportunities unlike those seen in traditional college programs,” said Pensacola State President Ed Meadows during the 10 a.m. press conference held at the ST Engineering site at the Pensacola International Airport. “The PSC family thanks you for your generous gift of this aircraft. It will give students the opportunity to build their confidence and the skills needed to pursue a gratifying high wage career.”

Andrea Krieger, PSC’s Executive Director of Institutional Development expressed her gratitude to Mr. Bishop saying, “your authentic excitement and desire to help aspiring aviation mechanics is admirable. It has been a joy getting to spend time with you as you worked through how you might help us enhance our program with your gift.”

According to Michael Listau, Dean of Workforce Education, “this donation allows PSC to give future technicians hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance and flightline operations with the same type of aircraft that they will see in the industry. Adding this aircraft will strengthen our ability to produce a valuable, well-rounded graduate with real-world experience that will undoubtedly become a staple of the ever-growing Aviation community.”

InDyne and RT&T are proud supporters of the military community.