Purdue aviation to host Chinese officials on informational trip

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University will host Chinese aviation officials and teach them more about international aviation for the next two weeks.

This is the first year the delegation of 22 government aviation officials and representatives of Chinese airports has visited Purdue. The group arrived on Sunday (July 15) and will reside at Hawkins Hall through Aug. 3.

Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s Chien-tsung Lu and Stewart Schreckengast, both faculty in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, coordinated the almost three-week visit with the Chinese Civil Air Authority.

Schreckengast said the informational trip is “critical” to the growing China aviation industry.

“The aviation industry is blossoming in China, providing many opportunities,” he said. “That’s causing a need for opening airspace and new airports, and obtaining more aviation training.”

Schreckengast said China is looking at a need for many more new pilots and airport managers as a result of the aviation growth.

As part of their work, Schreckengast and Lu have set up trips to the Indianapolis International Airport and Chicago O’Hare Airport, among other places. In addition, the delegation is interested in learning more about U.S. aviation standards and international rules, including emergency management and emergency planning.

Mornings will be spent learning different aspects of regulation with the afternoons used for team exercises on those regulations.

Purdue also will bring in representatives from the Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency, Indiana Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration.

Schreckengast and Lu were in China earlier this year and talked to the aviation representatives who are coming to Purdue. He said there are hopes this summer’s visit could turn into an opportunity to provide additional training for the Chinese aviation industry and also to attract students to Purdue’s aviation program. 

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu 

Source: Stewart Schreckengast, 765-426-0086, swschrec@purdue.edu