The Aero Engine Maintenance Training Center, which was jointly developed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Civil Aviation Supply Company (CASC), CFM International (CFMI), GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE), and Snecma (Safran Group), was officially opened November 1. The Center is adjacent to the CAAC's Civil Aviation Flying College in Guanghan, Sichuan Province.
CFM International is a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
The new Center was developed to support operation of CFM56 and GE CF6 engines in China. The Center is the first of its kind in China and is the first such world-class training facility outside the U.S. and France. Although classes do not begin at the new center until November 16, the school already has a six-month backlog for trainees. To meet the high demand, maintenance training has been provided at individual airlines since October 1995.
GEAE and Snecma (Safran Group) have invested a total of approximately $17 million in equipment for the Center. In addition to helping design the school to U.S. standards, the companies have equipped the school with CFM56-3 and CF6-80C2 training engines, tooling, instructional manuals, and teaching aides. They have also provided two full-time instructors that have been in China since late 1995 and will remain in country for five years. The school curriculum features comprehensive, hands-on courses in basic engine introduction, line maintenance, fan balancing, borescoping, and other skills. The curriculum is identical to that provided at GEAE training facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Snecma facilities in Melun-Montereau, France.
The program was launched by an agreement in 1994 and was completed on schedule.