Aviation Training Centre

Aviation Training Centre (ATC) works on the base of the Corporate University, implementing most mandatory training programmes for the aviation personnel of Volga-Dnepr Group.

8 programmes to train cockpit and ground support personnel were added to the ATC certificate in 2015
> 3,500 aviation specialists were trained in the Aviation Training Centre during the year

The Aviation Training Centre was established in 2004 to provide qualitative training of company personnel in accordance with federal and international requirements, as well as standards of the Group. Since 2008, it has been a member of the Russian ATC Association.

Currently, the ATC continues to evolve, providing training of aviation specialists under more than 120 training courses. In 2015, eight new programmes were added to the ATC certificate, including a training course of ATC lecturers, representing the best international practices and personal developments of specialists of the Corporate University in aviation specialist training.

The maximum practical focus of training is achieved through close interaction between the ATC and production units of the Group. Business cases based on the company’s experience were included in training course materials. In addition to the regular lecturers, ATC employs more than 80 employees of the Group – specialists of various services who combine production activity with teaching. They are keepers of the unique knowledge, experience and industry expertise of Volga-Dnepr Group. In 2015, within the framework of further training, 15 lecturers were trained at IATA courses, which guarantees implementation of the best industry practices in educational process of the ATC.

The high quality of training at the ATC is confirmed by the fact that its services are in great demand not only within the Group but also among other Russian and foreign airlines and aviation enterprises. In 2015, over 3,500 aviation specialists were trained at the ATC.

The ATC has fully equipped classrooms with specialised rooms for aviation security and rescue training courses as well as a medical room and listening room with a simulator to practice radio communications skills. In 2015, a fire-extinguishing chamber was opened in the centre, which is part of the equipment complex intended for training of aircrew members, technicians and loadmasters in rescue training, allowing them to increase the efficiency of fire-fighting.

In addition to the traditional forms of instruction, we actively use remote technologies in the learning process, allowing trainees to work online with educational and test materials, and receive advice from lecturers.

In 2015, a new website for the training centre was developed where information on its services is posted as well as training materials and useful links that are available to everyone.

The most popular courses are training in transportation of dangerous goods (12 ICAO categories), aviation security for the various categories of aviation personnel, and training courses for flight dispatchers.

In 2015, Volga-Dnepr Technics Moscow, one of the leaders of the Russian market for servicing Western-made aircraft, received a Part-147 certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) entitling it to provide theoretical and practical training of engineering and technical personnel to service the Boeing 747 aircraft. Training on the company premises in the Moscow aviation hub will be provided by highly qualified instructors and lecturers with considerable experience in servicing aviation equipment made abroad.

English language training

One of the most important activities of the Corporate University is English language training for aviation specialists of different categories in accordance with the international ICAO standards. The training is conducted by teachers who have international certificates and are included in the list of the raters and examiners by the Federal Air Transport Agency. In 2015, more than 300 aircrew members underwent qualification testing at the ATC to determine the level of English proficiency according to the ICAO scale.

A high level of language competence for the company’s aviation specialists is one of the factors ensuring the required level of safety. Volga-Dnepr is an international company, whose development and success are only possible if its leaders and employees speak the same language with their colleagues and customers around the world. In this respect, fluency in English is a mandatory requirement for the qualification of all managers and employees of the Group. All international business communications in the company are carried out in English.

In 2015, within the implementation of the strategic goal 100 Trained Leaders for the Implementation of the Strategy, we launched a comprehensive programme of language training for managers and staff, combining classical forms of individual and group training with elements of supportive language environment, allowing them to increase the effectiveness of learning.