The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has presented the Aermacchi MB-339 decommissioned aircraft to the University of Ghana (UG), School of Engineering Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Aeronautic and Space Science Technology.
The aircraft, according to specifications indicated, has a Rolls-Royce Viper MK 632 with a power of 4000IB on a speed of 485 KTS or 570 mph.
It covered a total of 1273.50 hours before its last flight in 2004.
Air Officer Logistics, Air Commodore AA Appiah, presenting the aircraft on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Samson Oje, at a brief handing over ceremony at the university to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ebenezer Oduro-Owusu, last Thursday described the donation of the aircraft as the evolution of collaboration for the common good of the two institutions and nation.
“This Aermacchi-339 jet trainer that you see here today is going to form the basis together with our laboratories and workshops at the School of Trade Training (S of TT) at the Air force Base, Accra for the Aeronautical and Space Science Technology programme of the University of Ghana,” he mentioned.
According to him, it would also serve as instructional equipment for practical training of young and enquiring minds to further push the frontiers of Civil & Military Engineering in Ghana.
Prof Oduro-Owusu lauded the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Air Force for the donation, reiterating that that it would go a long way to boost academic work for both students and staff of the newly-introduced School of Engineering and Aeronautics Studies.
“This is a first in preparation for our proposed programme in Aeronautic and Space Science Technology programme,” he stated.
He explained that the University of Ghana Council on approving the establishment of the School of Engineering Sciences in 2002 agreed that the establishment would be carried out in two phases.
By Solomon Ofori