French training school for airline mechanics, engineers

New Delhi, Oct 28 (UNI) A French aeronautics major, which has been supplying engines to Indian aircraft for the past 50 years, will now set up a training school for airline mechanics and engineers.

''The training school will come up in 2008, which will train about 500 mechanics and engineers every year,'' Mr Paul Andre Chevrin, Country Director (Civil Engines) for Snecma, told UNI.

Snecma is part of the 15-member SAFRAN group whose engines and equipment are fitted in aircraft operated both by the Indian airlines and the Armed Forces.

It is engaged with Hindustan Aerotautics Limited (HAL) for the co-production of 'Shakti' engine and auto-pilot 'Dhruv' helicopter.

''The need for a training school is felt as there has been a sharp increase in the number of mechanics and engineers with the increase in the size of the fleet of aircraft,'' Mr Chevrin said.

He said they would also set up a logistic centre to store spareparts that could be used in case of shortage.

Mr Chevrin was here to attend the ceremony to present the SAFRAN-French Embassy Award, 2007.

The prizes were given on Wednesday to three research scholars-- one each from IIT Mumbai, IIT Kanpur and IIT Chennai-- for their doctoral theses on aerospace and communication technology.

SAFRAN is an international high-technology group with core businesses in aerospace propulsion, aircraft equipment, defence security, and communications.

UNI