October 30, 2017 - Shanghai, China -- GE (including AVIAGE SYSTEMS, a 50/50 joint company between GE and AVIC) and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) had a special ceremony in Shanghai to celebrate the graduation of the second wave and the inauguration of the third wave of the jointly established Global Civil Aviation Talent Program (GCAT). Sixteen newly elected trainees from GE, COMAC and AVIAGE SYSTEMS will participate in the third wave while the 16 graduates of the second wave will return to their former companies.
To enhance the development of high potential technical aviation talent and support China's fast growing commercial civil aviation efforts, the GCAT program was jointly launched by GE and COMAC in 2013, with goals to enhance collaboration with partner businesses; to cultivate and build expertise for China's commercial aviation initiative; to create a collaborative culture with best practices sharing between the partners; and to jointly advance the civil aviation technical and leadership skillset.
The two-year GCAT program incorporates technical, leadership and project management training, as well as mentoring, coaching, community and cultural experience activities. The curriculum focuses on mechanical engineering, avionics systems, software development and certification.
"I'm so happy to see the great talents are contributing to their businesses and the industry," said Weiming Xiang, Vice President of GE Company and the President of GE Aviation Greater China. "They are playing an important role to bridge among the partner businesses and I expect we will have more opportunities to work together beyond ARJ21 and C919 programs to support the business growth as well as the development of the aviation industry."
"COMAC and GE have been strategic partners since the establishment of COMAC," said Vice President Zhao Yuerang of COMAC. "The GCAT program is a milestone in our long-term cooperation in terms of exploring new ways for talent development, which plays an important role to develop high level technical talent pipeline and drive deeper and broader collaborations in the future."
GE, COMAC and AVIAGE SYSTEMS have worked together for many years. GE and CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, are strong partners and supporters to COMAC's major aircraft programs. CFM will be the sole western powerplant for COMAC's C919 commercial aircraft by providing the Integrated Propulsion Systems (IPS). C919 has successfully completed its second flight following the first one in May, 2017. GE is also the engine supplier for COMAC's ARJ21 regional jet, which entered into commercial service in June, 2016.
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.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings and is part of the world's Digital Industrial Company with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.
