Caerdav — an aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and pilot training company based in South Wales — has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai-based MOBH Group; this will see millions of pounds pumped into developing new training and maintenance facilities.

Under the MoU, Caerdav (www.caerdav.com) will create a centre of excellence for commercial aviation training at Bro Tathan (the new business park opened by the Welsh government in September), providing complete training for pilots and cabin crew.

The investment by MOBH will also fund the construction of a new paint hangar, enabling Caerdav to provide full painting services for aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767 — complementing the engineering work that the company already carries out for major airlines.

Caerdav CEO Joachim Jones said: “With the MOBH Group’s backing, we aim to create Europe’s most advanced flight training centre, while expanding our outstanding independent aircraft maintenance operations.

“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for growth, and it underlines how our team’s hard work has led to this being the best year in the company’s history— with 2020 now looking even brighter.”

Trainee pilots will develop their skills on Diamond DA42NG and DA40 aircraft, plus simulators for the Boeing 737 Classic, 737NG and Airbus 320.

Training will be provided in partnership with Austrian-based AeronautX.