Twin Otter flight training centre receives Chinese approval

Today at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow, Pacific Sky Aviation announced that the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) has issued a flight training centre certificate for its Twin Otter training centre in Calgary, Alta.

After an extensive audit of Pacific Sky Aviation’s facility, Twin Otter training programs, curricula, training equipment, instructor qualifications, and both inspection and compliance management programs, the CAAC concluded that Pacific Sky’s training centre complies with all requirements of China Civil Aviation Regulations–Part 142, and has authorized type rating training for the following courses: initial, recurrent, differences, upgrade, re-qualification and proficiency checks.

With receipt of the CAAC Flight Training Center Certificate, Pacific Sky Aviation can deliver Twin Otter Initial training courses for Chinese crews beginning this month.

Pacific Sky Aviation CEO, Michael Coughlin, said: “Within our first year of operation of the Twin Otter training centre, we have achieved Transport Canada and EASA approvals of our Level ‘D’ Full Flight Simulator and have been training customers from around the world. The approval of the Twin Otter training centre by the CAAC is the final milestone in our efforts to provide type training for Chinese pilots, and follows the CAAC technical approval of the Level ‘D’ simulator we achieved in February of 2018. Our training centre team is prepared to welcome the first Chinese crews for initial type training and are looking forward to a long-term relationship with Twin Otter customers in China.”

David Curtis, Viking president and CEO, said: “The demand for the Series 400 in China is infinite, particularly in respect to seaplanes. With the help of Pacific Sky’s Twin Otter Series 400 training program, Level ‘D’ simulator with seaplane capability, and now receipt of the CAAC flight training centre certificate, we’re confident we’ll be able to meet the flight training demand for the emerging Chinese market.”