PNG Aviation Engineers Turn Tokua Visit Into Classroom for Kokopo Students
A routine aircraft maintenance operation at Tokua Airport has become a practical science lesson for Grade 12 students from Kokopo Technical Secondary School, who watched Air Niugini engineers carry out an engine replacement on a Fokker 70.
For the young science students, the visit provided a direct look at aviation engineering in PNG and introduced them to a specialised career field where strong knowledge of mathematics, science, discipline and technical skills is essential.
The students were taken into the airport's operational environment as part of their school's Science and Technology learning program.
Rather than learning about engineering only through textbooks, they were able to observe licensed aircraft maintenance engineers working on a commercial aircraft and ask questions about their daily responsibilities.
The maintenance job was led by Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Chuck Matane, who has a personal connection to the school after studying there himself.
Mr Matane's family has a longstanding association with aviation maintenance. His uncle, Eddie Matane, was among PNG's pioneering aircraft maintenance engineers and started his career with Air Niugini during the airline's early years.
Mr Matane and the engineering crew used the opportunity to discuss aircraft maintenance, professional training and possible career pathways with the students.
"As a former student of Kokopo Technical Secondary School, it was both humbling and rewarding to welcome these students and share with them the work we do every day," Mr Matane said.
"Aviation engineering is a highly rewarding profession that requires commitment, discipline and a strong foundation in science and mathematics. We hope that seeing our team in action today inspires some of these students to pursue career in aviation and contribute to the future growth of Papua New Guinea's aviation industry."
School principal Doreen Lasumon said the visit showed students the practical value of their education.
"Experiences like this bring science and technology to life. Seeing highly skilled Papua New Guineans working in specialised professions helps our students better understand the opportunities that education can create," Mrs Lasumon said.
"We are grateful to Air Niugini and its engineering team for opening their workplace to our students and investing time in helping shape their future career aspirations."
The aircraft work also reflected the growing ability of Air Niugini's engineering workforce to conduct maintenance away from its principal engineering facility in Port Moresby. Another engine replacement was completed in Rabaul earlier this year.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Alan Milne said exposing students to the airline's technical operations was part of encouraging the next generation to consider aviation-related careers.
"As Papua New Guinea's national carrier, Air Niugini is proud to play a role in developing the next generation of aviation professionals," Mr Milne said.
"Providing students with direct exposure to our engineering operations allows them to see firsthand the expertise, professionalism and dedication required to keep our aircraft operating safely and reliably every day."
"We hope opportunities such as this ignite curiosity and encourage more young Papua New Guineans to pursue studies and career in science, technology, engineering and aviation, all of which are critical to the nation's future development."
The students were later taken through the maintenance facility before touring the aircraft cabin and flight deck.
Their visit gave them a firsthand appreciation of the specialised workforce behind airline operations and offered a practical example of how their studies could lead to careers supporting PNG's aviation industry.
For the young science students, the visit provided a direct look at aviation engineering in PNG and introduced them to a specialised career field where strong knowledge of mathematics, science, discipline and technical skills is essential.
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| PNG Aviation Engineers Turn Tokua Visit Into Classroom for Kokopo Students |
The students were taken into the airport's operational environment as part of their school's Science and Technology learning program.
Rather than learning about engineering only through textbooks, they were able to observe licensed aircraft maintenance engineers working on a commercial aircraft and ask questions about their daily responsibilities.
The maintenance job was led by Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Chuck Matane, who has a personal connection to the school after studying there himself.
Mr Matane's family has a longstanding association with aviation maintenance. His uncle, Eddie Matane, was among PNG's pioneering aircraft maintenance engineers and started his career with Air Niugini during the airline's early years.
Mr Matane and the engineering crew used the opportunity to discuss aircraft maintenance, professional training and possible career pathways with the students.
"As a former student of Kokopo Technical Secondary School, it was both humbling and rewarding to welcome these students and share with them the work we do every day," Mr Matane said.
"Aviation engineering is a highly rewarding profession that requires commitment, discipline and a strong foundation in science and mathematics. We hope that seeing our team in action today inspires some of these students to pursue career in aviation and contribute to the future growth of Papua New Guinea's aviation industry."
School principal Doreen Lasumon said the visit showed students the practical value of their education.
"Experiences like this bring science and technology to life. Seeing highly skilled Papua New Guineans working in specialised professions helps our students better understand the opportunities that education can create," Mrs Lasumon said.
"We are grateful to Air Niugini and its engineering team for opening their workplace to our students and investing time in helping shape their future career aspirations."
The aircraft work also reflected the growing ability of Air Niugini's engineering workforce to conduct maintenance away from its principal engineering facility in Port Moresby. Another engine replacement was completed in Rabaul earlier this year.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Alan Milne said exposing students to the airline's technical operations was part of encouraging the next generation to consider aviation-related careers.
"As Papua New Guinea's national carrier, Air Niugini is proud to play a role in developing the next generation of aviation professionals," Mr Milne said.
"Providing students with direct exposure to our engineering operations allows them to see firsthand the expertise, professionalism and dedication required to keep our aircraft operating safely and reliably every day."
"We hope opportunities such as this ignite curiosity and encourage more young Papua New Guineans to pursue studies and career in science, technology, engineering and aviation, all of which are critical to the nation's future development."
The students were later taken through the maintenance facility before touring the aircraft cabin and flight deck.
Their visit gave them a firsthand appreciation of the specialised workforce behind airline operations and offered a practical example of how their studies could lead to careers supporting PNG's aviation industry.
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