Singapore Tech to Train Merpati Pilot

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - State-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines has established cooperation with the Singapore Technology Aerospace (STA) in training for pilots for its Airbus A320 armada.

The STA subsidiary, Singapore Technology Aero Academy (STAA), will provide training and education for at least 150 Merpati pilots every  year,  Vice President for Corporate Communication of Merpati Herry Saptanto said here in a release, Monday.

"STAA is a well-known pilot training institution in Asia. It was authorized and has  provided training and education for pilots from European airlines, People's Republic of China flight authority and the Republic of Singapore," he said.

STAA's experts from Australia and Singapore will come to Indonesia to open pilot recruitment for Merpati , including the final tests for the pilot cadets to be trained in the 312-hour MPL (Multicrews Pilot License) program.

The training program will take place in Singapore or Australia. After graduating from the program, pilots will return to Merpati to operate the Airbus 320.

"Although the education is in Singaporean or Australian STAA, the fly permit for the pilots will be issued by the Directorate General of Air Transportation of the Transportation Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia," Saptanto said.(*/DWA)