Oregon-based Hillsboro Aero Academy (HAA) has received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to conduct professional pilot training in accordance with CAAV regulations. The move will allow Hillsboro to accept Vietnamese students to its flight academy campuses.
It will also build on the company’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region, as it already holds certification from China’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) and conducts pilot training for Air China, China Eastern, Shandong Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines. Korean Air is also a client and the company attracts many students from Japan.
HAA credits its reputation, favorable cost, and F-1 visa program, which allow students to earn flight hours in the U.S. under the curricular practical training and optional practical training rules, for up to 23 months.
This latest approval comes after an extensive vetting process by the Vietnamese aviation authorities to ensure the program meets CAAV’s standards for safety, training curriculum, and equipment. The first Vietnamese students are expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.
“We are delighted to have received CAAV approval, as it reinforces our status as the flight school of choice for international students from the APAC region,” said CEO Natalia Cimpean. “We look forward to earning the trust of Vietnamese airlines in training their cadets for years to come.”