Expansion of the Rzeszów University of Technology Aviation Training Centre and its equipping with infrastructure necessary for education of pilots in line with EU standards is a big development for social inclusion, jobs, education and training in a region where aviation is particularly important. As a result the Centre can continue to provide training for qualifications for private, commercial and airline transport pilots and aircraft engineers.
Aviation Training Centre expands at Rzeszów University of Technology
- 03 November 2015
The project allowed us to create a modern aviation training system compliant with European standards and to continue aviation traditions at the University. The Podkarpackie Voivodeship acquired a dynamic modern training centre for highly-qualified air personnel. The centre attracts numerous companies active in the field of helicopter and aviation training to Rzeszów and the Podkarpackie region.
A new tarmac runway strip with navigation lighting allows take-off and landing at night, and reduces wear on equipment and runway maintenance costs. A hangar built next to the existing one enables operational aircraft to be kept separate from those under repair.
A fuel container station was installed which has improved safety and cut costs, as it allows the Centre to buy fuel directly from producers. In addition, a new taxiway connects the apron in front of the hangars with the runway and the apron next to the fuel station.
Seven single-engine and two two-engine aircraft replaced the obsolete fleet of training aircraft. They meet safety requirements, improve training standards, and can be used at all stages of training.
New flight simulators
Two flight simulators were bought to provide appropriate and comprehensive training and placed in a new flight simulator building. Further purchases included tools for servicing aviation equipment and activity and teaching materials.
Some of the new infrastructure can be used for research, such as measuring equipment in the simulators which records their operating parameters, thus enabling analysis of pilot behaviour in specific situations and related research. The Rzeszów University of Technology transfers the results of research to other universities within the AERONET - Aviation Valley Centre of Advanced Technology - of which it is the lead partner. Seminars are organised for knowledge transfer to the aviation industry.
The project has led to the creation of 5 jobs and 163 students use the new infrastructure. It has also resulted in 14 publications in scientific journals, while the new equipment has allowed academic staff to expand their knowledge and skills and participate in research projects on new aviation structures.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Expansion and equipment of the Aviation Training Centre of the Rzeszów University of Technology” is EUR 9 568 973, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 7 611 448 from the Operational Programme “Development of Eastern Poland” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.