OREANDA-NEWS. March 26, 2012. Starting from March, 2012 the Russia Special Flight Unit (the Department for Presidential Affairs of the Russian Federation) flight crew proceeded training for TU-204/214 flights at the Tupolev Aviation Training Center (TU-ATC). Over 100 specialists (pilots, flight engineers and navigators) are signed up to take training courses till the end of the year. The current Russia SFU aircraft fleet includes nine airplanes designed by Tupolev JSC: seven TU-214s and two TU-204-300s.

From November 2011 to January 2012 the Chinese flight crew was successfully trained on piloting of TU-204-120CE equipped with Rolls-Royce engine. The Chinese pilots completed theoretical and simulator-based training courses in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg and 20 practical training flights performed directly in China. According to the TU-ATC management while purchasing the aircraft the airline’s flight crew qualifications and skills shall be guaranteed. Tupolev JSC arranges the annual advanced training courses intended for flight crew operating Tupolev aircraft. The pilots are getting to learn about the latest a/c structure modifications and updating straight from the designers, airworthiness support specialists, aviation experts and the Center trainers. During 2012 Tupolev JSC is preparing to organize large-scale events within the complex training system development for the new TU-204CM a/c.