12 PX aircraft engineers complete online aviation training

TWELVE Air Niugini aircraft maintenance engineers have completed a five-week online B1/B2 Q400 rating course last week.
Air Niugini executive manager (training) Maika Bovoro said prior to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) only approved the delivery training method in a classroom setting with an instructor physically present.
“The current virtual learning allows for flexibility, no commuting and significant cost savings,” Bovoro said.
“With Covid-19 restrictions, the engineers were taught by live stream over the internet from Canada, all conducted in real time.
“Even the examinations were carried out via live streaming with the instructor being able to see every candidate whilst the exam was in progress.
“One of our staff from quality, safety, risk and audit department was present as an invigilator.
“The training covered topics in both mechanical and avionics aircraft systems which included the whole aircraft from the nose to the tail, wings and engines.”
Bovoro said all the engineers had completed the training.
“However, these engineers will still not sign off any aircraft work until after successful completion of another internal procedural examination,” he said.
“Apart from flexibility and costs savings, virtual training has also resulted in Air Niugini Aviation Training the opportunity to add to its capability listing Q400 training via distance learning.”
Air Niugini flight operations also took part in a virtual training last November with staff from different areas within the department taking part.
The training focused on flight operations management with staff selected based on their performance and potential for development into management roles.