Mohawk's Aviation Technician program reaches new heights with donation of Boeing 727 from Kelowna Flightcraft

Kelowna Flightcraft donated this Boeing 727-100 to Mohawk College's Aviation Maintenance Technician program. The aircraft is located at the College's School of Aviation housed at the Hamilton International Airport.

HAMILTON (Nov. 8, 2012) – Mohawk’s two-year Aviation Technician program has added a Boeing 727-100 to its fleet of aircraft thanks to British Columbia based Kelowna Flightcraft.

The 727 spent most of its serviceable life as a private jet, and included among its list of owners the famous hotel magnate Leona Helmsley. The aircraft now serves as a classroom and living lab providing Mohawk’s Aviation Technician students the opportunity to learn and work on heavy jet systems. All of the jet’s components and systems are still used on Boeing aircraft today.

Kelowna’s donation brings the College’s fleet of aircraft to 13 planes and one helicopter. Mohawk is believed to be the only Canadian college with a 727. All of the aircraft are located at Hamilton International Airport.

Mohawk’s Transport Canada approved Aviation Technician program is a two-year diploma program that provides hands-on training to more than 60 students in an operational airport environment using static and flying aircraft. The program is accredited by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace and prepares students for Transport Canada certification as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.

Mohawk held an official hand-over ceremony today to thank Kelowna Flightcraft for donating the aircraft.

QUOTES:

Mohawk Quote:

“This aircraft is a huge leap forward for Mohawk’s Aviation Technician program. We’re very proud to be able to offer our students an experience that few other schools can match, and we’re very grateful to Kelowna Flightcraft for giving current and future generations of Mohawk Aviation students access of one of the best classrooms available.” –Cheryl Jensen, Vice President Academic, Mohawk College.

Kelowna Flightcraft Quote:

“Well educated and trained Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) are critical to the success of Flightcraft,” said Barry Lapointe, President and CEO of Kelowna Flightcraft (an AME himself by training) “We are very happy to be in a position to support Mohawk College with this donation. We have been in Hamilton for over twenty years now, and expect to be here for at least another twenty.”

QUICK FACTS:

• The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow body, three-engine jet aircraft built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.


• The first plane entered service in 1964 and a total of 1,832 were built.


• The aircraft could carry between 149 and 189 passengers and was intended for short and medium flights.


• Mohawk’s Boeing 727 entered service with Lufthansa Airlines in 1966. It was sold back to Boeing in 1975 and was converted for use as a private jet. It was owned by United Technologies Corporation and Geni AC Corporation before it became the private jet for famous New York hotelier Leona Helmsley in 1990. Helmsley owned it until 2001.


• While owned by Helmsley, the aircraft was outfitted with an executive interior made of high-gloss mahogany and black granite. It had a master suite with a queen bed and all amenities including a shower and vanity. Some of this interior can still be seen in the aircraft.


• With the exception of the engines, the aircraft is intact and is used by Mohawk as a classroom and living lab.

Kelowna Flightcraft is an award-winning Approved Maintenance Organization operating two full-service maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in Kelowna, B.C. and Hamilton, Ont. The company employs more than 1,000 skilled and experienced staff that fly, maintain, modify, engineer and paint aircraft.

Mohawk College serves 15,000 full-time and apprenticeship students and 42,000 continuing education registrants annually. In annual province-wide survey of college students, Mohawk was ranked number one of Ontario’s large colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Contacts:

Mohawk College:
Sean Coffey, Mohawk College, Coordinator, Communications
289.260.7751 (cell), 905.575.2127
sean.coffey@mohawkcollege.ca

Kelowna Flightcraft:
Glori Duncan, Executive Assistant
(250) 807-5343
glori_duncan@flightcraft.ca