Signing Ceremony - MOU, Phase 4

On Thursday February 27th 2025, PACTEC International signed a new agreement with the Lao government at DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane. PACTEC supports and develops the "Civil Aviation Flight Training" project and center.

The MOU was signed by Mrs. Saykham THAMMANOSOUTH, director general of Public Works and Transport Institute (PTI) and Mr. Eric Walter, country director of PACTEC International in the Lao PDR.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Lao government, the British and German embassies, Lao Department of Civil Aviation, Lao Air Navigation Services (LANS), Airports of Lao, LJATS, Lao Air Force, Khoksa Airfield, various airlines and former pilots and Aviation English students.

In the first part of the meeting, PACTEC staff reported on the activities of the 3rd phase of the MOU (2019-2024).

This MOU, the 4th one, sets out the vision and ambitious goals for the time period until the end of 2029. The highlights were:

1. Completing the construction of the hangar and numerous upgrades to it.

2. Selection and training of pilots for Lao Skyway. 5 pilot cadets completed their training during this phase.

3. No aviation accidents occurred during this phase (nor in any of the previous phases)

4. Development of 3 new courses for fixed-wing pilots:

   • Single-engine instrument rating for Laos

   • Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory course

   • Flight Instructor Course

5. 11 former students graduated from the new ATPL courses of which 2 have already upgraded to captain: Captain Smith TIKOUN and Captain PhinAnong LEUSASINH

6. 1 former student completed the flight instructor training.

7. Regarding English training:

   • 28 courses taught

   • 225 students trained

   • 67 ICAO Aviation English Proficiency Tests completed.

In the second part of the meeting, PACTEC presented 12 expected outcomes. In summary their vision, on the flight training side is as follows:

1.      To start offering discovery flights

2.      In addition to training cadets for the airline, to offer flight training to the general public.

3.      To strengthen the CATC by accepting 4-6 student pilots per year.

4.      To start operating a small twin-trainer in Laos, so that all training can be accomplished in country

5.      Train at least one more Lao flight instructor.

6.      To develop a new ground instructor course.

7.      To develop an ATPL helicopter course.

8.      To develop training for pilot examiners.

Over the next 5 years, PACTEC plans to offer integrated general and Aviation English to over 700 students from the Aviation sector throughout the Lao PDR and will commence offering testing to ICAO level 6. 

PACTEC will create and submit for approval an Aviation Maintenance Technician Training Program and then begin AMT training. Likewise, PACTEC will assess ATC training needs, create training and support Lao Air Navigation Services (LANS) accordingly.

PACTEC furthermore plans to assist with the development and training regarding the Lao State Safety Program, the Safety Management System (SMS) and other needed aviation training.

Finally, PACTEC will offer support for disaster response if required.

Mr PhuVong, Deputy Director, PTI is testing our procedures trainer

Special thanks to DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane for their excellent service and support in hosting our event.