In a landmark move aimed at transforming aviation education in Gauteng, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education MEC Matome Chiloane officially received a decommissioned Embraer 135 passenger jet from Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading airline, at Rhodesfield Engineering School of Specialisation.

The handover ceremony, held at the Kempton Park-based school, marked a significant milestone in township education, with Premier Lesufi hailing the donation as a “historic moment” for learners who live near O.R. Tambo International Airport but have long been excluded from the aviation economy.

The Embraer ERJ135 jet, which logged over 32,000 flight hours before being retired in 2022, will now serve as a hands-on training aid for learners enrolled in aviation studies at Rhodesfield.

The school currently has 45 learners, including 13 girls studying aviation as their eighth matric subject.

Principal Caroline Ngxanga welcomed the aircraft as an “invaluable teaching aid” that will allow learners to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Premier Lesufi described the handover as a historic moment for township education:

“My dream was very simple: you cannot have a school a stone’s throw from the airport while our children remain excluded from the economy of aviation. Today, Airlink has agreed to be a partner for life.”

He added that this handover is not just about piloting, but about introducing learners to the full spectrum of aviation careers.

“With only 6 000 aircraft maintenance engineers in South Africa, and just 1 700 being African (including fewer than 300 African women), initiatives like this are vital for transforming opportunities and ensuring inclusivity in the sector,” says Premier Lesufi

MEC Chiloane echoed the sentiment, saying the jet symbolises a new era in education.

“This is a declaration that our learners deserve world-class education. The sky is no longer the limit, but the beginning of infinite possibilities.”

MEC Chiloane also continued to add that beyond piloting, the aviation industry needs engineers, technicians and specialists who keep aircraft safely in the skies.

The aircraft will expose learners to key aviation systems including hydraulics, avionics, flight control and engine maintenance. Airlink has also committed to donating additional aircraft parts and seconding two qualified technicians to the school for two years to assist with curriculum development and practical training.

Airlink CEO De Villiers Engelbrecht said the airline’s goal is to inspire young people to pursue careers in aviation.

“We want youngsters to dream and believe that a career in aviation is within their reach — whether in the flight deck, the cabin, the maintenance hangar or at head office.”

The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed that the jet will also be made available to other schools across the province to broaden access to aviation education.

IOL NEWS

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