Will Expand And Enhance General Aviation Training In China

The Continental Motors Group recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Civil Aviation University of China to support the growing demand of general aviation in China. The scope of the MOU is to establish a close partnership and cooperation in the field of piston engines used to power general aviation aircraft.

The two parties said this opens a new chapter of industry-university cooperation in the Chinese General Aviation history.

The signed MOU has provisions for both parties to build up a long-term and comprehensive cooperation covering subjects such as engine selection, after sales support, expanded pilot training and the creation of a maintenance training center for mechanics. The piston engine training center will assist in achieving higher student output providing services to all customers and aviation mechanics. It is planned to open in mid-2015, both parties striving to be in full swing and operating at capacity in the second half of the year. All these efforts will support the growth of The Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) thus ensuring that they meet the future requirements for Chinese General Aviation in the fields of pilot training as well as maintenance and aeronautical infrastructure management.

Mr Pan Linwu, Executive Vice President and CFO of AVIC International Holding Corporation (AVIC Intl.), Deputy Chairman of Continental Motors Group (CMG) Board, Mr Yang Hu, Vice President of CAUC, signed the MOU. Ms Tian Shan, Director of CMG Board and President of Continental Motors (Beijing) Co. Ltd. (CMB), Mr President Dong Jiankang of CAUC and other department leaders of CAUC witnessed the signing ceremony.

The CAUC fleet is currently equipped with a total of 42 Diamond aircraft, 32 of which are single engine DA40 TDI, 8 are twin engine DA42 and 2 are single engine DA20.  All DA40 and DA42 versions are powered by Continental Motors’ CD-100 series diesel cycle engines that burn Jet-A aviation fuel. The Diamond DA40 and DA42 lines are commonly used internationally as flight training aircraft by the most prestigious flight academies around the world. Diamond DA20s are equipped with conventional Continental Motors’ avgas engines. CAUC is today the largest operator of Continental Motors’ diesel cycle engines.

“AVIC Intl. is very focused on the development of the General Aviation industry in China," said Pan Linwu. "CAUC, one of the biggest general aviation fleet customers in China is a highly valued, important, and now a strategic partner. By cooperating closely with them, we will have a direct effect on the Chinese market which I believe will be quite successful.”

“CAUC works directly with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and devotes itself to educating young people with strong talent and high potential in civil aviation engineering and management. We have a long history and strong capabilities in this field," said Dong Jiankang. “After we carefully analyzed the high-reliability and economic efficiency of Continental Motors Diesel cycle engines, signing this MOU with CMG is the right choice. We hope to leverage the strengths of both parties to improve the pilot training level in China and accelerate the development in this field to meet the future needs of the Chinese civil industry."

(Image from file)

FMI: www.continentalmotors.aero