Beijing, China -- In a special ceremony in Beijing, GE (including AVIAGE SYSTEMS, a 50/50 joint company between GE and AVIC) and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) have reached an agreement to establish a Global Civil Aviation Talent Program (GCAT) to develop future engineering leaders to support China's growing commercial civil aviation efforts.
The joint program aims to enhance the development of high potential technical aviation talent through accelerated training and increased collaboration with partner businesses. The program will help create a technical leadership pipeline that will cultivate and build expertise for China's commercial aviation initiative; create a collaborative culture with best practices sharing between the partners; and jointly advance the civil aviation technical and leadership skillset.
The two-year GCAT program will incorporate annual seminars and three rotations in the partner businesses with technical assignments, technical and leadership training and mentoring. The curriculum will focus on mechanical engineering, avionics systems, software development and certification. Partner businesses will select program participants from their operations that exhibit strong performance abilities, technical aptitude, leadership potential and global mindset.
GE, COMAC and AVIAGE SYSTEMS have worked together for many years. Most recently, COMAC and CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between GE and Snecma (SAFRAN Group), signed the Master Contract for the C919/LEAP Integrated Propulsion System (IPS) in 2011. As part of this contract, CFM will be the sole overseas supplier for an integrated propulsion system, and the LEAP-1C engine will be the sole Western powerplant for China's first large commercial aircraft, C919, developed by COMAC. GE is also the engine supplier for COMAC's ARJ21 regional jet.
AVIAGE SYSTEMS, the joint company between GE and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has been selected by COMAC to provide avionics core processing systems, display systems, on-board maintenance systems, flight recording systems and avionics integration services to C919.
About GE
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet, turboprop and turboshaft engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.
About COMAC
Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) is the Chinese commercial aircraft manufacturer established in May 2008. For more information on COMAC, please visit www.comac.cc.