Engine Used In Movies Now Trains Aviation Maintenance Techs

The Los Angeles campus of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology recently received a special piece of aviation equipment – a Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine with a past – it has been used as a prop and for special effects on movie sets.

The engine was acquired from Steve Bolan, professional stuntman and aviation coordinator who flew airplanes in the movies. And now, after being used in movie productions it is serving a new purpose– to train the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians at Spartan with hands-on experiences for more realism in the shop.

The Westinghouse J34, even though it was first produced in the late 1940s, is still relevant for training because Spartan students get to study, disassemble, and reassemble the engine in their hands-on projects. The engine is still used in aviation primarily on Part 91 and Part 135 aircraft.

With this engine, Spartan students also get to participate in an enhanced experience through a new project that includes a startup sequence training. With this, students under the supervision of instructors get to safely conduct startup procedures in a controlled environment.

Bolan was known for flying Japanese Zeros in Empire of the Sun. In addition, Bolan was able to repurpose the engine to create special effects in some well-known films– it was used to generate fog and wind effects in Forrest Gump, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, The Aviator, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, and numerous others.

Spartan offers an 18-month Airframe & Powerplant program leading to a diploma, as well as an Associate of Occupational Studies Aviation Maintenance Technology degree. Both are FAA-approved and meet requirements in Part 147. The programs teach entry-level technical skills in airframe and powerplant.

FMI:  www.spartan.edu/