A $3 million federally funded aircraft and firefighting school is now being constructed at Saipan International Airport.
Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said classrooms are being built in anticipation of students expected to take up aircraft and firefighting courses.
Salas said about 50 to 70 students from all over Micronesia will attend the school which serves as the Federal Aviation Administration’s aircraft and firefighting training center in the Pacific.
He said all courses will be handled by FAA-certified trainers.
“FAA -trained individuals will be teaching these courses. Trained CPA personnel will also be involved in the program,” he said.
Under the program, the school will accept enrollees from Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and the Marshall Islands.
In an effort to improve aviation safety within Micronesia, the FAA had selected Saipan as the site for the Western Pacific regional aircraft and firefighting training center.
In previous years, CPA sponsored train-the-trainer workshops for regional participants.
“Aviation safety continues to be our highest priority,” Salas said.
Salas at the same time said CPA will proceed with its improvement projects amid security concerns following the Sept. 11 attacks.
