Okayama University of Science (OUS), with the cooperation of the ANA Maintenance Center of All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.—which supports talent development for the ANA Group’s aircraft maintenance companies, collectively known as “e.TEAM ANA”*—launched a joint talent development program this academic year.
On February 19, two student teams that had received ANA awards for their business plan proposals in December visited ANA facilities in Tokyo, including aircraft hangars at Haneda Airport.
Eleven students participated in the visit, including Haruto Fujiwara, a third-year student in the Department of Information Science and Engineering, and Akimasa Koizumi, a third-year student in the Department of Biosphere-Geosphere Science. They were accompanied by four faculty members, including Ichiro Shimizu, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.
The group first visited ANA Blue Base in Haneda, Tokyo—ANA’s integrated training facility for pilots, maintenance engineers, cabin crew, and other aviation professionals. After receiving an overview of ANA’s aviation operations, the students toured the training facilities, including a flight simulator for the Airbus A380. They observed up close the simulator’s three-axis motion system as it responded dynamically to the pilot’s controls.
The students then moved to the ANA Airframe Maintenance Building, located in the New Maintenance Area at Haneda Airport. They observed scheduled base maintenance checks, which is performed at regular intervals based on flight hours and takeoff and landing cycles. Inside the 42-meter-high hangar, six passenger aircraft—including Boeing 787 aircraft—were lined up. The students watched as engines were removed for inspection and as tires and various components were replaced. Seeing the aircraft at close range, they were struck by their scale and engaged ANA staff with a stream of thoughtful questions.
Students later shared their reflections:
“It was my first time seeing a passenger aircraft up close. I was amazed by its size. Visiting the actual worksite helped me develop a clearer understanding of what aircraft maintenance involves. It was a valuable experience.”
“Before this visit, I only had a vague understanding of maintenance work. Seeing professionals on site allowed me to form a much more concrete picture.”
“The flight simulator was incredible.”
Throughout the visit, the students’ enthusiasm was evident as they actively engaged with ANA personnel at each location.
On the previous day, February 18, eight program participants toured ANA facilities at Okayama Airport. During a ride-along experience in an aircraft towing vehicle, two students sat in the driver’s seat and observed up close as a Haneda-bound aircraft was pushed back from the gate to the taxiway.
OUS extends its sincere appreciation to the ANA personnel who generously supported this two-day program.
“e.TEAM ANA”: The collective name for seven ANA Group companies engaged in aircraft maintenance operations (ANA Line Maintenance Technics, ANA Base Maintenance Technics, ANA Engine Technics, ANA Component Technics, ANA Aero Supply Systems, ANA, and ANA Wings).