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The Asian Aviation Centre (Pilot Training Academy – Ratmalana) has commenced its operations since 1985 as a Limited Liability Company based in Ratmalana. According to the Managing Director Nihara Jayathilleke the Asian Aviation Centre has widened its operations and services. She says at the very early stages, even the cadet pilots that belonged to Sri Lanka Air Force have obtained their pilot training from this academy.
In addition to the training of cadet pilots The Asian Aviation Centre now conducts special training courses related to the aviation industry. It is the only place in Sri Lanka which conducts courses for manufacturing and designing of aircrafts. Also the Aviation Centre provides assistance for the cadet students to widen their strengths in the field of aviation. Lots of commercial airliners have taken steps to offer more job opportunities for the cadet pilots who obtain their training at the Ratmalana Aviation Centre.
For an example a cadet student who joins this training academy as an apprentice technician can later become an Aeronautical Engineer. Also this academy provides special facilities to cadet students to do their aeronautical studies in the third year at the Kingston University in UK.
At present the cadet pilots who successfully complete studies in aviation are being offered good job opportunities in the national career as well as other commercial airlines.
Apart from this The Asian Aviation Centre receives a lot of applications from cadet students from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives to train as cadet pilots.
The Aviation Centre possesses aircrafts like ‘Cessna’ and ‘Fiber Sheneger’ for their training. In addition The Aviation Centre has signed an MOU with another company to purchase more training aircrafts. Also retired air force pilots and Wing Commanders render their services as lecturers and instructors attached to this academy.
The institution offers courses in different areas which include Private Piloting, Commercial Piloting and Airline Transport Pilot Licenses, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. “The interest in this field has increased greatly since the development of the airline industry in Sri Lanka, so that other countries in the Asian region, including India, Nepal and Maldives, though having training centres such as this one, prefer to send their students to Sri Lanka to pursue the courses we have on offer; also we are planning to start the maintenance services of aeroplanes through this training academy in future,” says Asian Aviation Centre Managing Director Nihara Jayatilleke.
If you wish to become a professional in aviation, you can obtain further details on courses offered by AAC from the website: www.aac.lk or visit the AAC Information Centre No 14, Trelawney Place Colombo 04 or contact on TP: +94 114 510303/4, +94 114 979779, Fax : +94 114 510303, Email: [email protected].