PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Broward College’s aviation maintenance program received a major boost Saturday from the donation of two jet engines by Fort Lauderdale-based aerospace company GA Telesis.

The company donated the two massive Rolls-Royce Trent 800 jet engines, which are used in the Boeing 777 jetliner, and a jet engine stand valued at a combined $4.1 million to the Broward College Foundation.

The engines—each 9-feet tall and more than 12,000 pounds--were transported Saturday to the Judson A. Samuels South Campus in Pembroke Pines with assistance from Hialeah-based MD Turbines, which donated transportation and logistics services and a second jet engine stand valued at more than $63,000.

The combined value of these in-kind donations represents a more than $4.1 million gift that will directly benefit Broward College students as they prepare for careers in the growing field of aviation maintenance.

“This is more than a donation; it is a strategic investment in the future of our industry,” said Abdol Moabery, President and CEO of GA Telesis. “By providing students with access to modern engine technology, we are fundamentally changing how aviation technicians are trained. This initiative raises the standard of technical education and ensures graduates are prepared to meet the evolving demands of global fleets.”

Broward College President and CEO Torey Alston said Broward College is a leader in the Florida College System for receiving major in-kind capital equipment teaching gifts from industry partners.

“Our success in securing these high-value gifts is a direct result of our strong ties to industry leaders like GA Telesis and MD Turbines,” President Alston said. “We are deeply grateful for their generosity and their shared commitment to the future of our students. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the hangar, these partners are ensuring that our graduates are not just prepared for the aviation industry, but ready to lead it.”

Other major aviation-related gifts to the Broward College Foundation in recent years include a Sikorsky S-76A helicopter trainer valued at more than $500,000 from Lockheed Martin in 2021, and two GE Aerospace CF34 jet engines valued at more than $12.6 million in 2023.

“I want to thank our Foundation team for their exceptional work in making these gifts happen,” said Terry Mularkey, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Broward College Foundation. “Their work is crucial to the success of our students in preparing for rewarding careers.”

Widely recognized as a premier aviation maintenance training program, the Emil Buehler Aviation Institute at Broward College is a preferred partner for global aerospace leaders, evidenced by the millions of dollars in capital equipment donated by companies such as GA Telesis, MD Turbines, and Chromalloy. As South Florida’s aviation sector continues to expand, the region faces an acute and growing demand for highly skilled aircraft maintenance professionals—roles that offer strong earning potential and long‑term career stability.

“GA Telesis continues to be a vital partner in connecting our students to current industry equipment,” said Russell McCaffery, Dean of the College’s Emil Buehler Aviation Institute. “These Trent 800 engines will let our technicians disassemble, inspect, and understand the powerplants they’ll work on throughout their careers.”

The College’s aviation maintenance program offers students two educational pathways: a traditional 20‑month schedule or a highly in‑demand accelerated 13‑month schedule designed to rapidly place graduates into the workforce. Recent Florida Department of Education program audit metrics show strong student outcomes, with Aviation Maintenance success rates ranging from 81 percent to 100 percent across FAA‑aligned pathways, reflecting high levels of credential attainment and workforce readiness.

Over the past two years, the program has awarded 820 technical certificates and associate’s degrees to 485 students. Students may earn up to three technical certificates in addition to their Associate of Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Management, positioning them for immediate employment in one of South Florida’s most vital and well compensated technical fields.

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