Continental Motors and CAUC Enter into a Cooperative Agreement to Expand and Enhance General Aviation Training in China

April 15, 2015
The signed MOU has provisions for both parties to build up a long-term and comprehensive cooperation covering subjects such as engine selection, after sales support, expanded pilot training and the creation of a maintenance training center for mechanics.

Tianjin (China), 15 April 2015—The Continental Motors Group Ltd, an AVIC International Holding Corporation company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Civil Aviation University of China recently to support the growing demand of general aviation in China. The scope of the MOU is to establish a close partnership and cooperation in the field of piston engines used to power general aviation aircraft.  This opens a new chapter of industry-university cooperation in the Chinese General Aviation history. Continental Motors exhibits at AERO Friedrichshafen in hall A3-211.

The signed MOU has provisions for both parties to build up a long-term and comprehensive cooperation covering subjects such as engine selection, after sales support, expanded pilot training and the creation of a maintenance training center for mechanics. The piston engine training center will assist in achieving higher student output providing services to all customers and aviation mechanics. It is planned to open in mid-2015, both parties striving to be in full swing and operating at capacity in the second half of the year. All these efforts will support the growth of The Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) thus ensuring that they meet the future requirements for Chinese General Aviation in the fields of pilot training as well as maintenance and aeronautical infrastructure management. 

Mr Pan Linwu, Executive Vice President and CFO of AVIC International Holding Corporation (AVIC Intl.), Deputy Chairman of Continental Motors Group (CMG) Board, Mr Yang Hu, Vice President of CAUC, signed the MOU. Ms Tian Shan, Director of CMG Board and President of Continental Motors (Beijing) Co. Ltd. (CMB), Mr President Dong Jiankang of CAUC and other department leaders of CAUC witnessed the signing ceremony.

The CAUC fleet is currently equipped with a total of 42 Diamond aircraft, 32 of which are single engine DA40 TDI, 8 are twin engine DA42 and 2 are single engine DA20.  All DA40 and DA42 versions are powered by Continental Motors’ CD-100 series diesel cycle engines that burn Jet-A aviation fuel. The Diamond DA40 and DA42 lines are commonly used internationally as flight training aircraft by the most prestigious flight academies around the world. Diamond DA20s are equipped with conventional Continental Motors’ avgas engines. CAUC is today the largest operator of Continental Motors’ diesel cycle engines.

Mr Pan Linwu stated, “AVIC Intl. is very focused on the development of the General Aviation industry in China. CAUC, one of the biggest general aviation fleet customers in China is a highly valued, important, and now a strategic partner. By cooperating closely with them, we will have a direct effect on the Chinese market which I believe will be quiet successful.”

 “CAUC works directly with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and devotes itself to educating young people with strong talent and high potential in civil aviation engineering and management. We have a long history and strong capabilities in this field”, said by Mr Dong Jiankang. “After we carefully analyzed the high-reliability and economic efficiency of Continental Motors Diesel cycle engines, signing this MOU with CMG is the right choice. We hope to leverage the strengths of both parties to improve the pilot training level in China and accelerate the development in this field to meet the future needs of the Chinese civil industry”, he added.

The Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) was established in 1951, with headquarters in Tianjin, China, is subordinate to CAAC and listed as “CDIO” institute by Ministry of Education of China and is participant of Program of Educating Excellent Engineers. Chaoyang Flying School as first flying base of CAUC was established in April 2007. In July 2009, it has obtained a temporary Certificate as pilot training organization by CAAC. Chaoyang Flying School provides educations and training for Commercial Pilot Licenses (with instrument and multi-engine ratings), courses for trainees for Air China, China Eastern, Air Shandong, Air Tianjin etc. The goal in the preliminary stage is to train over 300 pilots per year and reach 60,000 annual flight hours.

AVIC International Holding Corporation was set up in 1979, with majority shares owned by Aviation Industries of China (AVIC). Headquartered in Beijing, AVIC International delivered over 147 billion RMB in revenue in 2013. The company has over 70,000 employees across 400 subsidiaries and is located in over 50 countries.  AVIC International is a well-diversified company, with holdings in International Civil Aviation, Trade & Logistics, Retail & High-end Consumables, Real Estate and Hotel Management, Electronics Manufacturing, and Natural Resource Development. More information can be found at www.avic-intl.cn.

Continental Motors Group, Ltd. of Hong Kong, China is a subsidiary of AVIC International Holding Corporation of Beijing, China. Its mission is to provide advanced gasoline and diesel (jet fuel) piston engine products, spare parts, engine and aircraft services, avionics equipment and repairs as well as pilot training for the general aviation marketplace. Continental is an international operation employing approximately 450 team members in Mobile and Baldwin counties, Alabama, USA; 200 team members in St. Egidien, Germany; and 8 team members in Beijing, China. More information can be found at www.continentalmotors.aero

Continental Motors Beijing Ltd. (CMB), a subsidiary of Continental Motors Group is located in Beijing, China. CMB established March 2014 employs 8 full time people. CMB branch and the launch of the warehouse have improved the delivery of Continental Motors engine spare parts and optimized the after-sale services in the China market.