Toll Helicopters has donated a surplus Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T turboshaft engine to Aviation High School in Brisbane as a hands-on training aid for students.
The engine, previously installed in one of Toll Helicopter’s Bell 212s which was used for peace keeping missions in the Timor region and firefighting operations in Australia, was formally presented to the school on June 23.
“Our Bell 212 has been upgraded with new engines so we are delighted to be in a position to be able to donate the engine to Aviation High School to support hands-on learning activities for its students,” said Toll Helicopters’ general manager Mark Delany.
“To be able to pull apart and reassemble a jet engine will greatly increase their knowledge and understanding of how a turbine jet engine works.”
Aviation High School’s head of aviation Jack Clarke said the opportunity for students to interact and learn from real equipment is something that surpasses anything that can be gained from books or the internet.
“Aviation High School provides a direct pathway for students seeking careers in the aviation and aerospace industries in Queensland and we are extremely excited by this opportunity and the benefits it will bring to our students,” Clarke said.
Following the presentation of the engine, one of Toll Helicopters’ Bell 412s overflew the school before landing on its oval for students to inspect.
Matt
says:Nice thing to do. This will be paid back many times in terms of new enthusiastic workers. Thumbs up.
Raymond
says:Thanks Toll.
Greg Alexander
says:Having real training aids will better prepare students for the aviation world. This is fantastic work done by Jack Clarke and a generous offer by Toll and GM Mr Mark Delaney.
Paul Case
says:Congratulations to Toll and to Aviation High School. A trip to an aviation museum is expensive for schools, and students are not allowed to interact with museum pieces, so this is an outstanding educational tool. Great also that Toll allowed students to interact with their working vehicle.
It would have been nice if AA mag had reported a quote from a student representative, but thanks for reporting the event at all. Education is the cornerstone of EVERY industry, including aviation, so education should be a regular thread of discussion in the industry magazine.