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Qantas has donated a retired Boeing 717 to Aviation Australia for use in engineering training.
The aircraft, which formerly flew for QantasLink as VH-YQW, will reside at Aviation Australia’s Brisbane Airport hangar, and will offer hands-on experience for students at the Qantas Group Engineering Academy. The plane saw its final flight in December last year.
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“It’s wonderful to see the final Qantas Boeing 717 now in the hangar, ready to train future engineers through hands-on learning,” Qantas Domestic chief executive Markus Svensson said.
“This fleet served Australians for more than 20 years, so it’s only fitting it will now play a role in training the next generation of engineers.
“We’re proud to be investing not just in new aircraft, but in the next generation of engineers who will help keep them flying safely.”
The Qantas Group Engineering Academy is run with Aviation Australia to train future engineers and meet growing demand for skilled aviation workers. Glenn Ryan, chief executive of Aviation Australia, said the partnership will “ensure Aviation Australia remains at the forefront of aviation training”.
“This awesome 717 will inspire our students and play a vital role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry practice, delivering real workforce solutions that benefit our students and aviation communities worldwide.”
According to Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, the 717 will provide “an extraordinary opportunity for our aircraft maintenance engineering students”.
“Having direct access to a retired Qantas Boeing 717 means students can train on real aircraft systems, giving them world-class, hands-on experience that prepares them for the workforce,” Minister Bates said.
“This is exactly the kind of industry-led training the Crisafulli Government is proud to support – practical, job-ready, and future-focused.”
QantasLink was one of the world’s last three commercial operators of the 717, which it has now phased out in favour of its new Airbus A220-300 fleet.
The final flight of the type was meant to be on 26 October 2024, with the Flying Kangaroo marking the end of an era and aviation influencers onboard the final service operated by VH-YQS.
However, while VH-YQS departed shortly afterwards to the Victorville desert boneyard in California, VH-YQW flew to Western Australia on 5 November to operate the Perth–Paraburdoo service, reportedly to support subsidiary Network Aviation.
It then flew to Canberra on 27 November to fly domestic services, with speculation that the decision was made to smooth the introduction of the A220-300.
