The government of the Lao PDR has asked to partner with PACTEC to develop safety and increase capacity in the Aviation sector.
We have been supporting the Lao PDR through its Civil Aviation Flight Training Center (CAFTC) since 2004, and operate under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Transport. Professional training is essential for a robust and sustainable aviation infrastructure, and thus serves as a catalyst for relieving human suffering and developing people’s capacity to improve their conditions here in the Lao PDR.
Our international experts from various nations are training pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals in the Lao PDR, assisting quality human resource development which is a key outcome of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
Aviation English Training
PACTEC has delivered English language training for Lao pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals since 2004, providing a crucial contribution towards aviation safety, compliance with ICAO English Proficiency requirements, and the safe and effective operation of international airports in the Lao PDR.
Through CAFTC and other partners, PACTEC delivers competency-based training that combines General English, Pronunciation, Technical and Aviation English, to aviation professionals in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savannakhet. In addition, English proficiency training is an integral part of the Professional Pilot Program and other training being developed.
PACTEC also assists the Department of Civil Aviation and CATC to conduct initial and recurrent testing for ICAO English Language Proficiency, with a testing manual and raters and interlocutors certified to test to level 6.
Professional Pilot Program
PACTEC has developed CAFTC’s Professional Pilot Program. This intensive two-year program with an integrated approach to flight training from ab-initio all the way to the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), prepares pilot students for their work in the airline.
Our flight training department has witnessed many firsts in the Lao PDR:
- 2013 – Start of first professional pilot training program in partnership with Lao Skyway
- 2015 – First group of trainees receive the Private Pilot License (PPL)
- 2016 – First group of Lao trainees succeeds in multi-engine and multi-engine instrument flight training in Canada and receives the Commercial Pilots License (CPL) in Laos.
- 2020 – First Instrument Rating flight test completed
- 2022 – First ATPL ground school taught
- 2024 – First Lao flight instructor trained
In the coming years we will continue our efforts towards helping the CAFTC become self-sustainable and independent. We look forward to training more pilots for the airline and flight instructors. We also have plans for expanding our airplane fleet by adding a multi-engine trainer. This will make it possible to complete 100% of our flight training in Laos and would eliminate the need to conduct part of the training in Canada. Furthermore we plan to develop a new ground instructor course, and improve pilot examiner training.
Other Training
PACTEC is developing other training:
- Aviation Maintenance Technician Training
- Air Traffic Control Training
- State Safety Program Training
- Safety Management System Training
Humanitarian Assistance
In the event of a natural disaster, and at the request of the Government of Laos, PACTEC stands ready to assist with disaster response using its aircraft.
CAFTC
To find out more about the civil aviation flight training center (CAFTC), which we support, please follow the link:
