80 local Air Pacific aircraft engineers and engineering support staff have completed an intensive Airbus training and familiarisation course, permitting them to operate and certify the A330 aircraft.
As the national airline prepares to receive the first of its A330 aircraft arriving in Fiji on March 19th, it’s undergoing and completing a series of readiness programmes to ensure its specialist staff like pilots, engineers and cabin crew are certified to operate the new aircraft type.
24 local aircraft engineers have been trained over four months on the new Airbus systems through computer-based simulation training in Nadi, facilitated by experienced Airbus trainers from the European aircraft manufacturer’s Toulouse Training Centre in France.
In addition to the 24 aircraft engineers, 56 Air Pacific engineering support staff have undergone familiarisation training for the A330-200 aircraft type.
“The course provided training on the air frame and engine of the aircraft type, covering avionics and mechanical systems on the A330-200”, says Thomas Robinson, Air Pacific’s General Manager Engineering. “This adds another aircraft type to their existing sign-off capabilities and is definitely an addition to the skill sets of our local engineers.”
In addition to those trained here, six local Air Pacific engineers have also undergone practical requirement training in Switzerland. This will be the initial group that will certify the first A330 aircraft for its first flights.
“Our engineers have gained admiration and praise from international trainers who have spoken highly of their capabilities and potentials. This has a good reflection on our pool of local talent and our airline’s uncompromising priority on safety and operations standards,” added Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific Managing Director and CEO.
“Our investment in the A330 aircraft means we’re upskilling our staff to fly, operate and certify this type of aircraft. This means a more qualified workforce which is good for the national airline and the country.”
More local engineers will undergo further familiarisation and specialist training at the Rolls-Royce (Derby, UK) and Delta Airlines (Los Angeles, USA) facilities for the engine and airframe. Our Avionics engineers will also get trained by Panasonic to work on the A330’s new In Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems – the eX2.
Adam Voss, Air Pacific Executive General Manager Engineering added, “The introduction of this sophisticated modern aircraft into the Air Pacific fleet is a significant milestone, and to have trained our Engineering staff and gained regulatory approvals in readiness for the arrival of the A330 is testament to the hard work and commitment of all stakeholders”.
PRESS RELEASE