CLEVELAND, Mississippi — Delta State University’s Commercial Aviation program has received a major boost, thanks to a donation from Jetran, an aircraft manufacturing consultancy based in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.
During a recent fly-in at Box Field in Sunflower County, Jetran gave Delta State a Grumman-Schweizer Ag Cat, a single-engine agricultural aircraft, facilitated by the efforts of aviation enthusiast and retired ag pilot Buddy Box.
The contribution was secured after work by Delta State’s team, including Dr. Lori Spencer, Chief Development Officer and Chief of Staff for the DSU Foundation, along with former chair of the Commercial Aviation Department Colonel Brad MacNealy and owner and operator of Shelby Air Ike Brunetti, who are dedicated to expanding the aerial application training program at Delta State, according to university officials.
“Brad, Ike, and I have been working to build up this program by connecting with industry leaders who could support it through scholarships, equipment donations, and expertise,” Spencer said. “In the fall of 2023, we learned about Buddy Box and his interest in donating an aircraft. After multiple conversations with Buddy, we saw the immense value this Ag Cat would bring to our ag aviation students and took steps to make the transfer happen.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Jetran and Buddy Box for their remarkable generosity,” said Dr. Suzette Matthews, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Delta State University Foundation. “This aircraft will offer invaluable, hands-on learning opportunities for our students, equipping them with skills essential for the agricultural aviation sector.”
The fly-in also gave Delta State students the opportunity to engage with industry leaders from Raytheon, FedEx and Mammoth Freighters, alongside Box and Jetran representatives. Box, who piloted agricultural planes from 1964 to 1995, recounted the Ag Cat’s history and the inspiration behind the donation.
“This plane served as a training aircraft for a few years,” Box said. “After it sustained damage during an ice storm, we restored it, and I knew Delta State would benefit from it. I’m thrilled that these students will be able to use it to gain valuable hands-on experience.”
For more information: DeltaState.edu