ALTON AERO ENGINEERING CC

Emric Airlines and Alton Aero Engineering were established in 1972 at Empangeni airfield by Boet Voges, Merwyn Wallace and the late Cyril Johnson to provide a service to the local aviation industry. Emric Airlines provided a scheduled daily flight from Empangeni to Durban and Johannesburg. Boet managed Alton Aero Engineering, maintaining the airline’s fleet and privately-owned aircraft in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 1976 Alton Aero started a sheet metal shop that assisted aircraft rebuilds to the industry and insurance companies. In 1981 Adrian Geach joined the company and established the engine shop division. By 1984 Alton Aero Engineering was a one-stop shop providing general maintenance, servicing, engine and propeller overhauls and all sheet metal work. Later Emric was sold to Magnum Airlines and Boet focused on Alton Aero. Eugene Voges (son) then joined the family business in 1986 as an apprentice and qualified in 1990. Eugene and Boet built a new facility at Richards Bay airport in 1994. Alan Burgess (son-in-law) joined the family business in 1996 to assist Eugene with the maintenance.

In 2007 Boet semi-retired. Eugene, Alan and Cathy (daughter) became members of Alton Aero which ran as a family business. Mathew Burgess (grandson) joined in 2005 and qualified in 2010 as the third generation member.

In 2018 Boet and Cathy sold their shares to Mark Uren and Shane Uren and the entire operation relocated to Rand Airport in March 2018. From March 2019 Alton Aero Engineering will be relocating to its new home at Hangar 14, Rand Airport.

Alton Aero Engineering CC offers the following services:

• Engine overhaul and repairs. The Lycoming authorised service centre and Continental approved FBO

• Aircraft maintenance – Piper, Cessna and Beechcraft – piston and turbine variances

• Aircraft repairs

• Hangarage and cleaning

• Sheet metal and structural repairs

• Aircraft sales

• Aircraft refurbishments

• Overhaul and repair of electrical components

• Instrumentation, avionics repairs and installation

• Parts store for all gelaraneral aviation supplies

• Official Shell distributor for all aviation-related oils and greases