Airbus training centre in city?

Airbus plans training centre in India
Vijay Times

Bangalore: As part of its long term commitment, Airbus is contemplating setting up of a Training Centre in India while it has announced expansion of its tie-up with the city-based VidhyaCom Technologies Pvt Ltd to provide engineering services and illustrations for its double-deck A-380 aircraft. VidhyaCom, which has an association with the European aircraft maker since 1998, becomes the first Indian company to be selected by Airbus for its A-380 project.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of Aero India 2005 on Tuesday, Airbus Regional Press Manager David Velupillai said ''we are eyeing India for a specific training centre'' adding that Bangalore figured high on the possibility list for it. Refusing to elaborate further in terms of time-frame or investment, he said, ''Right now it is in an early stage.''

Bangalore might score over other states, since the Company already has orders for its A-320s from Airdeccan and Kingfisher Airlines. Moreover, Airdeccan has announced its intention of setting up a simulation centre in Bangalore, while VidhyaCom already has Airbus courseware for training including graphic simulation modules.

VidhyaCom CEO Dr K Sridharan said "we are delighted to be expanding our association with Airbus A380. So far, we had been involved with technical publishing and training aspects and now we will be extending it to engineering services. As part of the agreement, we will be involved in the simulation and structural dynamics of part of the Airbus A380 airframe, catering to Airbus Espana and Madrid. Our role includes finite-element stress analysis and involves a small team of staff based in Spain and India."

According to Velupillai, A380 will undergo test flight for the next 12 months. The first passenger flight will take off in the Summer of 2006 with Singapore Airlines operating it on the Singapore-London and Singapore-Australia sectors. Emirates will operate the aircraft in all the major sectors. So far, 15 customers have placed orders for 154 of them while Indian operators are yet to open their account.