Airlink Donates Jet to Support Aviation Skills Training
Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier airline, has donated a decommissioned Embraer 135 regional jet to the Gauteng Department of Basic Education (GDE) to serve as a practical aviation skills training aid for learners at Rhodesfield Engineering School of Specialisation (SOS) in Kempton Park.
In addition to the aircraft, Airlink will fund the two-year deployment of two newly qualified aircraft maintenance technicians, who will serve as trainers at the school. Both technicians, young black women who completed their apprenticeships at Airlink and now work at the airline’s maintenance centre at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, volunteered to be part of this educational initiative.
The donation forms part of the GDE’s Engineering SOS initiative, which addresses critical engineering skills shortages in the province and supports South Africa’s broader economic development priorities.
Hands-On Experience for Future Aviators
“The aircraft will be an invaluable teaching aid for our Grade 11 and 12 learners taking aviation classes as their eighth matric subject. This year, we have 45 learners (13 girls and 32 boys) across both grades, most of them from Tembisa,” said Caroline Ngxanga, Acting Principal of Rhodesfield Engineering SOS.
Hon. Matome Chiloane, Gauteng’s MEC for Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, added:
“The aircraft, generously donated by Airlink, will provide learners with hands-on experience to complement their classroom learning. It will support specialised programmes such as Search and Rescue training and multi-certification courses, equipping students with the skills needed for high-demand aviation careers. Beyond Rhodesfield, learners from other schools in Gauteng will also benefit through experiential learning opportunities.”
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice.
Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, emphasised the strategic importance of the initiative: “By placing a real aircraft in learners’ hands and providing qualified engineers as trainers, we can help bridge the gap between theory and practical experience. This donation provides young people with access to authentic aircraft systems, components and structures – opportunities typically inaccessible to many who aspire to aviation careers.”
About the Aircraft
Delivered new to Airlink in 2013, the Embraer ERJ135 logged over 32,000 flight hours across more than 30,000 flights before being retired from active service. Although certain components were removed for operational use, Airlink has pledged to donate additional spare parts over time to further support the school’s training needs.
The ERJ135ER is powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 3007/A3 turbofan engines, seats 37 passengers, and has a range of 2,400 km. Measuring 26.3m in length, 6.76m in height, and with a wingspan of 20.04m, the aircraft provides ample space for learners to study internal systems, cabin layout, avionics, aerodynamics, and structural design. Its wings and tail section also serve as practical examples of modern engineering principles, giving the school’s grounds a striking new landmark.
