Ex-Skywest Aircraft to Serve As Teaching Aid in its Retirement

Rock Valley College's Aviation Maintenance Program obtained an exciting donation from AAR Corporation in the form of a CRJ-200. 

AAR provides a range of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, allowing them to donate a functional aircraft to Rock Valley College’s Aviation Maintenance Program on October 18, 2022.

AAR partnered with the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide funding for the project, which will come from SkyWest Airlines, with a workforce development grant from The Workforce Connection. During delivery of the aircraft, community members and stakeholders came out in force to Rock Valley College, with Illinois’ Representative West, Rock Valley College’s President Spearman, and AAR’s VP of Workforce Development Ryan Goertzen sharing some remarks at the occasion. The aircraft will be integrated into the college's aviation maintenance curriculum, helped along in part due to Part 147 going into effect last September. 

Leaders from education, industry, and government gathered at Rock Valley College to mark the first donation of a CRJ-200 to a community college. Illinois’ Representative West, Rock Valley College’s President Spearman, and AAR’s Vice President of Workforce Development Ryan Goertzen, among others, provided brief remarks and described the journey to the momentous occasion. Students in attendance expressed enthusiasm for the addition of this aircraft into their program.

“Hands-on experience is key to developing as aviation maintenance technicians. However, students typically learn on old aircraft that are no longer functional,” explained Goertzen. “Working on a modern, fully operational aircraft in an educational setting will transform aviation maintenance training.” 

FMI: www.aarcorp.com