On September 24, AmCham China’s US-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) launched the third session of the China Aviation Culture & Education Accelerator Program in Anji Tianzihu General Aviation Airport, Zhejiang Province. The program welcomed 81 middle school students and 12 teachers from Anji Foreign Language School and Anji Tianzihu Middle School, with support from Textron, Collins, and AOPA.
The day began with opening remarks by ACP Executive Director Geoff Jackson, and Wang Qiliang, General Manager of Anji Airport Company. Remarks included a description of the joint effort between ACP and the US Embassy in Beijing to promote people-to-people, educational and cultural exchanges. Mr. Wang welcomed ACP and appreciated ACP’s effort in encouraging young talent to pursue careers in the aviation field.
The morning session featured engaging aviation knowledge presentations, offering students a glimpse into the aviation world. Rocky Zhang, Vice President of Government Affairs at Textron China, delivered a fascinating presentation on General Aviation. Shen Quan, Head of Communications of Collins Aerospace, reviewed the evolution of aircraft over the past century.
The program also provided students with the opportunity to craft C919 airplane models under the expert guidance of Zhuang Zhuang from AOPA. This was followed by a tour of the airport’s hangar, giving them a firsthand experience of aircraft technology and maintenance.
In the afternoon, representatives from Textron, Collins, AOPA, and ACP staff engaged in discussions with Anji government officials. During the meeting, the U.S. side emphasized the importance of the program in promoting friendships, educational, and cultural exchanges.
Wan Baolin, an Official from Anji Education Bureau, introduced the current Anji education mode, emphasizing the development of students’ hands-on skills. Wang Qiliang, General Manager of Anji Airport, provided an overview of the development of general aviation in Anji and mentioned the local government’s keen interest in building an “Anji Aviation Town.”
The China Aviation Culture & Education Accelerator Program in Anji exemplifies AmCham China’s commitment to inspire, educate, and collaborate with all stakeholders at the national and local levels to assist China in achieving its development goals. The AmCham China US-China Aviation Cooperation Program remains dedicated, and looks forward to, supporting and encouraging similar endeavors that inspire and nurture the dreams of future aviation talents. We want extend our gratitude to our ACP member companies – Boeing, Collins, FedEx, Landrum & Brown, P&W, Textron, Universal Weather & Aviation, and the US Embassy in Beijing for their support in delivering these three sessions.