(Van Nuys, Calif. – May 7, 2014) Students at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s North Valley Occupational Center – Aviation (NVOC – Aviation) have a new tool to gain insight into the functioning of turbine engines, thanks to a donation of a Rolls-Royce Spey Engine – valued at $120,000 – by Pegasus Elite Aviation.
Pegasus Elite Aviation, an international full-service aviation company with sales operations based at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), made the donation to the NVOC – Aviation, also housed at VNY, as one way to further encourage the growth in the number of trained general airframe and power plant mechanics.
“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to advance these students’ education,” said Pegasus Elite Aviation President Tim Prero. “It’s important for companies in our industry to explore all opportunities to support students pursuing careers in the aviation industry.”
Michael Phillips, airframe and power plant instructor at the NVOC – Aviation, said that due to budget constraints, donations currently provide the only way for the school to obtain equipment such as the Rolls-Royce Spey Engine to use in its curriculum. He said the engine will allow students to learn more about the characteristics and differences from older turbine engines the school currently owns.
“This means a lot to the students, and we’re very appreciative of Pegasus Elite Aviation’s generosity,” Phillips said. “Aviation companies have the choice of scrapping old engines, selling them for a greatly reduced cost or donating them to a school. It’s important they remember that schools like ours support the local community, and we are where these companies get the general airframe and power plant mechanics to work in their shops.”
Pegasus Elite Aviation operates out of one of the two facilities at VNY of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, an aviation development and management company with three of Southern California’s most prestigious leaseholds at VNY and Long Beach Airport. Aeroplex/Aerolease Group President and CEO Curt Castagna noted, “We are proud to help facilitate Pegasus Elite Aviation’s donation of the Rolls-Royce Spey Engine to the NVOC – Aviation. Aircraft maintenance is one of the most important jobs in the aviation industry, and we’re committed to supporting initiatives to meet the persistent demand for certified aircraft mechanics.”
ABOUT PEGASUS ELITE AVIATION
Pegasus Elite Aviation provides aircraft charters, maintenance, sales and management, with a luxurious Gulfstream fleet taking passengers wherever they need to go. Unlike other charter companies that work from a single fixed home base, Pegasus Elite Aviation stations aircraft around the globe. With these multi-based operations, the company can offer competitive and cost-effective service to worldwide destinations. Website: http://www.pegjet.com/.
ABOUT THE NORTH VALLEY OCCUPATIONAL CENTER – AVIATION (NVOC – AVIATION)
The NVOC – Aviation provides occupational and career training for the Los Angeles Unified School District, enabling the development of valuable middle-class jobs. The school’s Aircraft Mechanics Program consists of 45 subject areas presented in three separate classes; all three courses are required to prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration’s licensing exam in general airframe and power plant mechanics. Website: http://www.nvoc.org/html/courses_aviation.html.
