No need to go abroad to learn how to fly anymore — Taiwan’s first aviation training center opens

Reporter You Ruxu / Reported and photographed in Taipei

Taiwanese no longer need to travel abroad to learn how to fly planes in the future. The first and only national-certified flight training center in Taiwan held its inauguration press conference today (24th), showcasing the Diamond single-engine top-tier flight training aircraft. Young people interested in aviation careers will now have the opportunity to earn their licenses and realize their dreams of flying without leaving the country.


▲ Chairman Kao Chiann-yi (second from left) of TransAsia Flight Training Center poses for a photo with honored guests.

Currently, most aerospace education programs at Taiwan’s universities and colleges focus on mechanics and engineering. Chairman Kao Chiann-yi of TransAsia Flight Training Center stated that the aim is to fill the gap in basic flight education in Taiwan, positioning the country as a major hub for pilot supply in Asia in the future.

The Aviage Flight Training Center offers training courses to help students obtain three types of aviation licenses: the Private Pilot License (PPL), the Instrument Rating (IR), and the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). In terms of academic curriculum design, the center’s rigorous training program exceeds the requirements set by Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration, ensuring that students fully master Taiwan’s civil aviation regulations, as well as the science and knowledge of flight.

During practical flight training, students operate professional training aircraft imported from Austria. Unlike traditional models, the aircraft used at Aviage Flight Training Center are among the safest and most advanced currently available. Their cockpit instruments and operations closely resemble those of commercial airliners, which helps minimize transition challenges for students when they obtain their Commercial Pilot License and join airline workforces. As of the end of 2014, the Taitung base was equipped with five single-engine and one twin-engine aircraft, with plans to expand the fleet to 12 training aircraft by the end of 2015.


▲ Professional training aircraft.

In terms of teaching faculty, in addition to Chief Instructor Boris Bratusevac, who boasts over 13 years of flight instruction experience and holds 12 aviation-related licenses across six countries worldwide, Instructor Huang Mingxuan is also the first Taiwanese-certified “flight instructor” approved by Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration. The main base for flight training and aircraft maintenance is located at Taitung Fongnian Airport, which features brand-new hangars and a professional maintenance team to ensure the proper functioning of training aircraft. Inside the training center, Aviage Flight Training Center has introduced Diamond flight simulators (FTD), which offer realistic instrument panel operations and cabin environments, allowing students to immerse themselves and practice various flight scenarios.