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Student Builds Desk From Airplane Wing
Student Builds Desk From Airplane Wing
Student builds a unique, one-of-a-kind desk from an airplane wing

CONCORD TWP. – Joseph Bennington was challenged by his Auburn Career Center welding Instructor, Jared Rogge, to design and fabricate a desk. However, there was a catch; the desk was to be fabricated out of an airplane wing. Bennington accepted the challenge and created a unique, one-of-a-kind desk.

Bob Gerry, a pilot of 29 years from Kirtland, had an airplane wing from a Fairchild Metroliner he wanted transformed into a desk. To make this a reality, he contacted Auburn Career Center’s welding instructor, Jared Rogge. Gerry’s son attended Auburn’s welding program and he recalled the hands-on projects the class worked on.

Bennington, of Kenston High School, was presented with a number of challenges with this undertaking.

“I only had one airplane wing; I couldn’t just go get another wing if I made a mistake. It had to be done right. The metal was so thin and the legs presented a challenge to be level. I had to try a lot of different ideas,” said Bennington.

To add to the uniqueness of the desk, Bennington kept some of the original pieces intact and cut parts of the wing at the top of the desk to show the inside of the wing through a glass top.

“It’s the most awesome thing I’ve seen. Its one-of-a-kind, no one else can say they have something like this,” said Gerry. “Joseph did a fantastic job on it and has a bright future ahead of him.”

Bennington credits the success of the project to his cousin.

"Without my cousin, Michael Bentley, I would never have had the chance to do this project because he is the one who pushed me into to doing this class and encouraged me to use my skills," said Bennington. “I love the desk. It shows if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. It motivates me to do other things. I’m very happy with how it came out and sad to see it go, but also happy.”