IndiGo, Airbus in training tieup

BY A CORRESPONDENT
May 10, 2006

Aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus and domestic carrier IndiGo have announced the launch of the Airbus active training and competence focused training (AACT) programme, to be carried out in India for the first time. The program is aimed at maintenance engineers and will train them in the latest methodologies and equipment in new aircraft maintenance, over a period of eight-weeks.

According to Airbus Executive Vice-President Kiran Rao, "The programme will enable Indigo Airlines to achieve the highest international standards in the maintenance training and will play a key role in training for the future."

IndiGo CEO and President Bruce Ashby also stressed its added, "Apart from using the conventional aids, for the first time in India the training will involve new generation training tools, which will provide a realistic simulated environment for training purposes."

The Delhi-based low-cost carrier had placed an order worth $6 billion for a 100 Airbus A320s at the 2005 Paris Air Show.

The training programme comprises of three progressive levels of learning, including an overview of the aircraft, servicing and operation of the aircraft, and heavy maintenance and troubleshooting of the aircraft. The programme also focuses on a global aircraft vision, an understanding of aircraft systems integration, and a modular approach that enhances flexibility.

New generation training tools include a realistic simulated environment that includes the entire aircraft (and not just the cockpit), along with light simulation with M/FTD (Maintenance/Flight Training Device) that are available in 2D and 3D. New learning strategies are used to increase practical learning.