Blagnac Training Center receives renewed FAA certification
This certification enables ATR to train pilots for US operators in Toulouse
Our Blagnac Training Center has just received the renewal of its Part 142 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US authority in charge of regulating all aspects of civil aviation. As part of this renewal process, our whole training programme, including courses, facilities, flight training equipment and instructors, was subjected to a demanding assessment process to guarantee its compliance with FAA regulations.
This certification, first obtained in 2017, enables us to train pilots for US operators in Toulouse. This allows to complement the training capabilities offered by our Miami Training Center opened in February 2017 to respond to the increasing presence of ATRs in the North, Central and South American markets, which are today accounting for 23% of our worldwide fleet (more than 260 aircraft).
ATR operators are expected to need about 1,000 new pilots a year in the coming years to cater for the expansion of regional fleets and the replacement of pilots retiring or moving to other aircraft types. This certification renewal showcases our continued commitment to provide flexibility and reactivity to our customers, and to be in a positon to respond to an increasing demand for rapid transitions between aircraft acquisition and entry into service.
The ATR Training Center holds certifications from various authorities in the world, including EASA, FAA and ANAC and trains more than 3,500 airline staff a year, delivering more than 100,000 training hours.