Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, accompanied by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, attended the inauguration of the International Training Center at the National Aviation Academy on April 8.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event was also attended by the Rector of the National Aviation Academy, Academician Arif Pashayev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, and Chairman of the Management Board of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC Samir Rzayev. They provided an overview of the center's functions to the president and the First Lady.
The International Training Center was established on the initiative of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC within the premises of the National Aviation Academy. Its purpose is to train flight crews in emergency situations and to provide both theoretical and practical training for air traffic control dispatchers.
The new facility will train dispatchers from the 'Azeraeronavigation' Air Traffic Control Department in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. The Air Navigation Training Center will utilize the training curriculum from the German Air Navigation Services Academy (DFS), a leading global institution in air navigation training.
The center features a TWR tower simulator that offers a 360-degree view of Heydar Aliyev International Airport, along with a radar simulator complex for airspace management. These systems are designed to replicate real operational conditions, enhancing the training experience for dispatchers.
Additionally, a state-of-the-art training simulator complex is available to improve the skills of drivers of various special vehicles used in airport operations. It is projected that the center will annually train around 30 air traffic control dispatchers and 3,000 flight crew members.
To ensure the effective implementation of safety procedures during emergencies, the center is equipped with a new-generation 'A320/A321 NEO CEET' aircraft simulator from the Turkish company 'SkyArt.' This includes Door Trainers for Boeing 787 aircraft and Real Fire Fighting Trainers (RFFT) to simulate actual fire conditions.
The new training infrastructure aims to enhance personnel training capacities in the aviation sector regionally, align training opportunities with international standards, and foster a competitive national workforce in this field.
As a specialized training entity, the center will play a crucial role in developing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills among aviation professionals. The incorporation of modern technologies and the latest flight simulators will also allow specialists to gain experience in conditions replicating real flights, which is vital for ensuring comprehensive flight safety.