Swiss aircraft hangar operator Alpark (Booth A051) signed an agreement yesterday here at EBACE, with Aerocampus Aquitane, which claims to be France’s largest aviation maintenance training provider. The deal will see the establishment of a maintenance-technician training center to be named Swiss Aerocampus at Alpark’s facility at Sion International Airport. According to the Part 147 training provider, the first class of 15 candidates will begin in Sion in September in courses on turbine aircraft, helicopter and avionics maintenance.

Alpark, which opened two years ago, operates a 12,000-square-meter (129,167-square-foot) hangar, the largest at the airport, capable of sheltering a trio of ACJ-class aircraft simultaneously, with room left over. It currently serves as a base for four helicopters managed by subsidiary Partn’Air Management.

The location offers eight hotel-standard sleep rooms, which are available at per-night rates, as well as three plush lounges, a spa, fitness center and 20-seat a/v-equipped conference room for clients. It is equipped with a professional kitchen, and plans call for the facility to eventually provide in-house catering. Beginning next month, through agreements with Ruag and Jet Aviation, Alpark will offer line maintenance for customers, becoming, in essence, a full-service FBO for its clients.