KHUJAND, July 23, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Five Tajik graduates of Kyrgyzstan’s Aviation College have received certificates and been accepted to work for Tajik national air carrier, Tajik Air, as second pilots of AN-24s and AN-26s.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Viktor Zagorulko, the commander of Tajik Air’s squadron of AN-24s and AN-26s deployed at the Khujand airport, said 16 Tajiks have graduated from the mentioned aviation college this year.

“After the college, they have taken a month-long theoretical training and the second stage was the practical one – they have flown 110 hours as second pilots,” said Zagorulko, “However, only five of them have undergone training and medical examination successfully and got grade 3 pilot certificates.”

According to him, the squadron’s crews have been renewed by more than half to this date.  The squadron now has three AN-24s and two AN-26s.