ST targets Asian pilot training needs

ST Aerospace is diversifying into the commercial pilot training business, with the opening of a joint venture to offer courses in Singapore, Australia and China for the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market.
The partnership with Aviation Training (Singapore), called ST Aviation Training Academy (STATA), will begin operations in October with a capital investment of $5.2 million. It is based at Singapore’s Seletar Airport, which is being redeveloped by the country into a regional aerospace hub.
In its first year, the joint venture aims to train 75 students to commercial pilot licence and instrument rating level. It then plans to recruit 200 students by 2009 to be trained in the multi-crew pilot licence (MPL), which was introduced last November by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
While trainees take 24-30 months to graduate under a typical CPL, the MPL course would take only about 12-15 months.
The first centre will be an ab initio training facility in Australia. The Aviation Training Academy Australia will be established near Ballarat Airport in Victoria State by mid-2008. Next, a flight simulation centre will be set up near Seletar Airport by early 2009.
It will also team up with the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) International Flight Training Academy in Nanjing, China. Several other groups are also seeking to capitalise on the strong demand for pilots in fast-growing markets such as China and India.
03/09/07 Flight Daily News