By Matthew Denis
For about four months, the Helicopters Life Training at the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, Kwara State have been put on hold, Pilot Aviation can report.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the two coppers developed faults late last year and have since been parked at the hangar.
A source at the college who craved anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to newsmen, confirmed the development.
According to the source, the management of the college has made arrangement for purchase of spare parts abroad.
It would be recalled that the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed had flagged off the helicopter training at the college, which is in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy February, last year.
When contacted, the rector of IAC, Capt. Abdulmumini AbdulKareem, stressed that the helicopters are due for overhaul in accordance with airlines standard.
He said, ” In airline training, the helicopters are due for overhaul and that is exactly what we are doing now.
” Training is going on, students are undergoing theory and attending ground school and the assimilator is there for them.
” One of the choppers have spoilt and awaiting major overhaul. In training school, it is expected for aircraft to spoil and repaired otherwise we will be having crashes all over the world with aircraft.
” It is in the training school that we have issues, it is not as if we had accident with the helicopters. We have bought spare parts for the other chopper for overhauling.” he added.
The rector disclosed that the school is on holiday and billed to resume at the end of this month (April), assuring that the maintenance on the helicopters would have been carried out.
” We are on holiday now and going to resume towards the end of this month by God’s grace. So, when you come you will see maintenance ongoing,” he told our correspondent.
