The Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) has started its first helicopter ab-initio technician training programme, in co-operation with Eurocopter.
The programme "signals the start of a long-term plan devised by Eurocopter and CAFUC to develop a pool of qualified helicopter technicians to meet China's future needs in the expanding general aviation sector", said Eurocopter.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Eurocopter and CAFUC was signed in July 2010, with the aim of training 120 helicopter technicians by 2015.
Eurocopter will provide training in its "train the trainer" scheme to CAFUC instructors, allowing the trained instructors to provide ab-initio technician training to students in CAFUC.
"Our instructors get to learn from the best in the industry, and in turn, we are able to train many more students to prepare them for a career in a sector that is poised to grow rapidly as China begins to open up its low-altitude airspace in the coming years," said CAFUC President Zheng Xiaoyong.
"Proper ab-initio training is absolutely crucial, as it not only provides the foundation for trainees to further improve their skills in tandem with on-the-job experience, but also in the development of the aviation industry," said Detlef Ehrig, head of Eurocopter Training Academy.
The course will last for four months. Upon completion of the course and passing of a CAAC-approved test, the trainee will receive a basic helicopter maintenance technician licence.
Source: Flight International
