Project for the Establishment of a World-Class Aerospace Maintenance Pseudo-Production Line Environment
Cultivating Industry-Oriented Talent through Simulated Industrial Environments
1. Project Objectives
According to statistics from the Aerospace Industry Development Program Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (2009–2016), the output value of Taiwan’s aerospace industry has continuously reached record highs. The output value of the aircraft maintenance sector has even exceeded that of the manufacturing sector. International organizations also predict that the Asia-Pacific region will account for the largest share of the global aircraft maintenance market in the next decade (2018–2027), with an estimated value of USD 29.8 billion, representing approximately 34% of the global market.
At the same time, in the next 10 to 20 years, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to require approximately 94,000 to 238,000 new aviation maintenance and manufacturing professionals. The demand will continue to grow, indicating strong long-term prospects for the aviation industry.
In the aviation maintenance and manufacturing workforce, professionals holding certifications issued by civil aviation authorities possess highly specialized skills that are difficult to replace and generally command higher salaries. Even during economic downturns, the aviation maintenance workforce remains relatively stable because operating aircraft must still undergo regular maintenance inspections. Therefore, aviation maintenance careers provide long-term stability and security.
Since training a qualified aircraft maintenance engineer requires a long training cycle, there is currently a global shortage of professional and internationally qualified aviation maintenance personnel. In Taiwan, domestic airlines have announced significant aircraft purchase plans to address fleet capacity shortages, which will further increase the demand for maintenance personnel.
According to professional manpower demand analyses in Taiwan, the annual demand for aviation professionals will continue to grow over the next 20 years. Passing certification examinations and obtaining the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) “Aircraft Maintenance Engineer” license is the key threshold for entering the aviation maintenance profession and represents a critical milestone for career development.
Taiwan’s aircraft maintenance licensing system was revised in March 2013, transitioning from the former FAA Part-65 framework to the European EASA Part-66 licensing system. This revision introduced stricter regulations for aircraft maintenance training organizations and licensing requirements, and strengthened collaboration between airlines and academic institutions in training new maintenance professionals.
The simulated industrial training environment established under this project includes:
- Aircraft C-Check periodic maintenance training lines
- Aircraft avionics inspection and maintenance
- Aircraft engine periodic maintenance
- Aircraft structural maintenance training lines
- Aerospace composite material repair training lines
- CAA aircraft maintenance engineer certification training
In the future, the university will continue allocating regular budgets and industry-academia cooperation resources to support talent development under this program. Through collaboration with the aviation industry, the program aims to enhance technical training and teaching content for students across departments and achieve sustainable development.
Key strategies include developing capabilities aligned with EASA regulations and international aviation maintenance standards, providing training for new airline employees, recruiting international students, and cooperating with countries under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Hong Kong in aircraft maintenance training programs.
By collaborating with domestic and international airlines, the university will provide a simulated industrial training base. The program will continue strengthening students’ practical abilities and internship opportunities to reduce the gap between academic training and industry needs, enhance employability, and improve professional certification acquisition.
After the completion of the aircraft teaching hangar at the High-Speed Rail campus, the aircraft maintenance workshop, teaching facilities, aircraft towing runway, and engine test area will meet international aerospace training standards and comply with Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR 05-02A) and EASA requirements for theoretical classrooms and practical training facilities.
2. Background and Motivation
The aviation industry is characterized by a high degree of international collaboration and technological integration. It requires advanced technologies, strict quality systems, and involves strong industrial linkages. Therefore, the development of the aviation industry can significantly enhance overall industrial technology levels and product value, making it an important capital-, technology-, and labor-intensive industry suitable for Taiwan’s economic development.
According to statistics from the Aerospace Industry Development Program Office (Figure 1), Taiwan’s aerospace industry output value increased from NT$58.7 billion in 2009 to NT$100.3 billion in 2016, and reached NT$120.725 billion in 2018, achieving consecutive record highs.
Taiwan has successfully established a key position in the global aerospace industry. In the manufacturing sector, most aerospace components are technically feasible to produce, except for certain critical propulsion systems and electronic modules. However, obtaining international airworthiness certification and entering the supply chains of aircraft and engine manufacturers remain the main barriers to entry and the keys to success.
In contrast, the maintenance sector focuses on certification of maintenance organizations and personnel qualifications rather than product certification or supply chain integration.
Figure 1. Output value of Taiwan’s aerospace industry over the years (Source: Aerospace Industry Development Program Office, MOEA)
Additionally, according to forecasts by Airbus and Boeing, global demand for aircraft over the next 20 years will reach approximately 33,000–39,600 aircraft, with a total market value of approximately USD 5.9 trillion. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for about 40% of this demand.
In Taiwan, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) plays a leading role in the manufacturing sector. With the Indigenous Defense Trainer (IDF trainer aircraft) program, Taiwan has established the “Taiwan A-Team 4.0” alliance, consisting of over 330 member companies, including TAI SHING, All-First, Wei-Hua, and Chiao Hsin. These companies have accumulated extensive experience in aerospace machining, engine components, and avionics manufacturing.
3. Project Framework
This project will collaborate with partner universities, research institutions, professional associations, and outstanding enterprises (see Appendices Tables 1 and 2). The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) provides expertise in composite materials research and UAV engine development, while AIDC provides practical training opportunities in composite manufacturing. Industrial partners such as Chen-Tien and Fair Friend Group provide expertise in aerospace machining technologies. The Ministry of Labor provides vocational skill training for students prior to employment.
Partner universities include National Cheng Kung University, Air Force Institute of Technology, China University of Science and Technology, Vanung University, and Chaoyang University of Technology. Several technical high schools with aircraft maintenance programs are also involved, including Tainan Industrial High School, Taichung Industrial High School, Chiayi Industrial High School, Changhua Industrial High School, and others.
4. Project Team Capability
The university integrates expertise from faculty members in aircraft maintenance technology, aerospace component design, manufacturing engineering, materials testing, engine technology, avionics, digital media technology, and foreign language education. Together with partner universities, they form a professional team for aerospace maintenance and manufacturing technology.
Students will begin with aircraft design fundamentals, deepen their knowledge in manufacturing and materials inspection, and acquire maintenance skills through virtual aviation simulation training. Faculty from the Department of Applied Foreign Languages will strengthen students’ English proficiency to prepare them for international aircraft maintenance certification examinations.
Industry professionals from Evergreen Aviation Technologies and China Airlines will also participate in teaching activities. Faculty from Vanung University specializing in composite materials will provide lectures and academic exchange during the project period.
5. Seed Teacher Training Plan
The seed teacher training program targets university faculty and vocational high school teachers. Training courses will be jointly offered by the university and partner institutions. Teachers recommended by each institution will participate in these training programs to enhance instructional capacity and inter-institutional collaboration.
6. Talent Training Plan
The student training plan includes three categories:
- CAA certification elite students
- technical excellence students
- general students
Students enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Bachelor’s Degree Program will receive CAA Cat. B1.1 certification training consisting of 2,400 training hours over two years. Each class is limited to a maximum of 28 students according to CAA training regulations.
Technical excellence students from partner universities will participate in CAA certification module courses and take the CAA theoretical examination during their third or fourth year.
General students may participate in Level-B and Level-C aviation maintenance certification training programs offered each semester.
Vocational high school students from aircraft maintenance programs will also participate in short-term training programs during summer sessions to prepare for aviation maintenance certification examinations.
7. Facilities and Equipment Planning
The project establishes simulated aerospace maintenance training lines similar to real airline maintenance operations. Training processes will simulate aircraft maintenance procedures including aircraft arrival inspection, disassembly, inspection, installation, functional testing, quality assurance verification, and final aircraft release.
The training environment includes aircraft system maintenance, avionics inspection, engine maintenance, aircraft structural repair, composite material repair, and CAA maintenance certification training.
8. Quality Control and Continuous Improvement
A project steering committee and a university-level quality assurance committee will oversee project implementation. Monthly meetings will monitor progress, equipment procurement schedules, and performance indicators.
The quality assurance committee, consisting of 5–7 senior administrators including the Vice President, Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean of Engineering, and Director of Research and Development, will review project progress quarterly to ensure performance targets and project objectives are achieved.