Continental Motors Group and the Civil Aviation University of China have signed a memorandum of understanding to support growing demand for general aviation in China, Continental announced April 15.
The agreement establishes cooperation related to piston aircraft engines in subjects including engine selection, after sales support, expanded pilot training, and the creation of a piston-engine maintenance training center. The training center is expected to open in mid-2015, according to the company.
“AVIC Intl. is very focused on the development of the General Aviation industry in China,” said AVIC International Holding Corp. Executive Vice President and CFO Pan Linwu. “CAUC, one of the biggest general aviation fleet customers in China is a highly valued, important, and now a strategic partner. By cooperating closely with them, we will have a direct effect on the Chinese market which I believe will be quiet successful.”
Civil Aviation University of China is the largest operator of Continental’s diesel-cycle engines, Continental said in a media release. Its fleet includes 42 Diamond aircraft: 32 DA40 TDIs, eight DA42 twin-engine aircraft, and two DA20s. The DA40s and DA42s are powered by Continental CD-100-series compression-ignition engines that burn Jet A, while the DA20s are equipped with avgas-burning Continental engines.
The engine manufacturer is owned by Aviation Industry Corp. of China International Holding Corp. and took over the diesel line of Thielert Aircraft Engines when AVIC Holding Corp. bought that company. It established warehousing capabilities in Beijing in 2014 to improve parts delivery in the country and recently announced a large order of Continental Diesel CD-135-powered Diamond DA40s to a flight school in northwest China.
Sarah Deener
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