CHC : Helicopter engineers become Timor-Leste’s first licensed aircraft engineers

Four aircraft engineers working for CHC Helicopter in Dili have become the first Timorese to earn their Diploma of Aeroskills and meet stringent Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) license accreditation requirements.

CHC Helicopter is one of the world's largest helicopter transport companies operating in about 20 countries. The four engineers work at CHC's operations in Dili, Timor-Leste which provide passenger transfer services to oil and gas operations in the Timor Sea Joint Development Area.

CHC Helicopter Regional Director Nick Mair said the engineers had been loyal employees for many years and had worked diligently towards their qualifications over this time.

'The local Dili engineers have worked towards this goal for several years, and CHC Helicopter is proud to have trained them to become fully licensed mechanical engineers. It is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved,' Mr. Mair said.

'The engineers will be the first in Timor-Leste to achieve these highly-skilled qualifications, which will provide them with the opportunity to work in the aviation industry for the rest of their careers.'

TAFE SA provided the final training modules. It is one of only four training organisations in Australia recognised as being able to fulfil CASA's new training requirements. Lecturers travelled to Dili over the course of six months to assess the training needs and deliver the appropriate training modules.

TAFE SA Director, Mining, Engineering and Transport, Alison Roberts said TAFE SA's world-leading online learning systems were fundamental to training the engineers in Timor-Leste.

'In addition to having some of their training provided online, the apprentices are assessed through an innovative simulation tool based in Florida,' Ms. Roberts said.

(Left to right): Martinho Ferreira, Tito Exposto, John Biggs - TAFESA, Elvis Soares, Atoy Jonando - in the hangar at Dili Airport.