Feeding the future of aviation: Vallair Industry announces ambitious plans to train 300 aircraft technicians over the next five years

“With the demand for aviation maintenance at an all time high, we are proud to be supporting the engineers and mechanics of tomorrow,” Gregoire Lebigot, CEO & President, Vallair.

Châteauroux / Montpellier – 10th May 2022: Vallair, the multi-faceted aviation business dedicated to the support of airlines and lessors, has invested in Aircraft Academy, a EASA Part-147 approved organisation providing online and classroom-based aviation training for Airbus & Boeing aircraft engineers and mechanics. At a time where there is an increased demand for licensed technicians, the move will see Vallair augment its existing aviation capabilities to incorporate comprehensive EASA Part-147 training and will be centred around the Company’s new state-of-the-art hangar in Châteauroux, France and its established modern MRO facility in Montpellier.

Vallair has invested significantly in the Centre Val de Loire Region and has partnered with Aircraft Academy as well as other educational establishments in the Châteauroux locality. “This is a significant milestone for Vallair,” comments Grégoire Lebigot, CEO & President of Vallair. “We are continually striving for excellence and to provide the best service to our customers. This is a fantastic opportunity for Vallair as well as for the mechanics and engineers of the future. Being able to nurture and support a highly skilled workforce will not only benefit Vallair, but the aviation industry in general. It is our vision to promote Châteauroux as a centre for aviation excellence and to demonstrate the wealth of talent and skill which exists in the heart of France. This ambitious and proactive move by Vallair will see the Company recruit and train 300 mechanics and engineers over the next five years.

Vallair is an active participant within the aviation industry in France and belongs to two significant clusters: Aerospace Valley and Aérocentre. Occitanie based Aerospace Valley has over 500 affiliated companies and is responsible for some 120,000 jobs in the aviation and space flight industries. Aérocentre, the regional centre of excellence in Centre-Val de Loire, works to develop and sustain the aeronautical sector across the area with over 120 member organisations. Vallair stands as one of their key players over the last fifteen years.

The programme will enable all candidate students to receive theoretical tuition towards their EASA Part-147 approval license either in person or online, with all practical training provided in Vallair’s Châteauroux and Montpellier facilities. As part of the training, students will benefit from hands-on experience for A320, B737NG & A330 aircraft, supporting various engine types, sheet-metal, as well as being eligible for an EASA Part 66 on the aforementioned aircraft.

Stephan Gaworski, CEO of Aircraft Academy, celebrates the partnership with the Vallair group. “I believe this collaboration will lead to significant transformation and opportunities for our students. By having an aviation partner such as Vallair, not only will Aircraft Academy be afforded continued growth, but also direct access to worldwide markets. This is a unique opportunity for us and our students and will make aviation maintenance training more accessible to future generations.”