It is a legal requirement that technicians must be certified to work on vehicle air conditioning systems and as a leading provider of air-con system training Diagnostic Solutions has recently completed a programme of training for a group of technicians with a difference.

The company normally trains the staff of garages or bodyshops who have recognised the excellent business potential that air-conditioning servicing has to offer. However, it has just completed training for a group of 40 apprentice aircraft technicians and training instructors from the Baldonnel Air Corps.

These technicians work on the Pilatus PC-9M pilot training aircraft. The air conditioning system is a vital element of the two seater plane maintaining a consistent and comfortable operating temperature in the cockpit.

Colin Reed of Diagnostic Solutions comments, "Our company has a great working relationship built up over many years with the Air Corps at Baldonnel. We have previously supplied them our Brain Bee air-con service equipment and were delighted to assist them with training for their apprentice technicians as well as their own training instructors.” He adds, "At the end of the programme all of those attending were awarded their F-Gas certification which is now a legal requirement for anyone working on air-com systems.”

The technicians at Baldonnel were trained in air con service and repair as well as the safe handling of R134A refrigerant at Diagnostics solutions training centre in Tallaght. Here the company provides a full range of air-con training course for the automotive sector including F-Gas certification for the handling of both R134a and R1234yf refrigerant.

Colin says, "The automotive training we provide is not just for technicians to get the required certification, but also to show how garages and bodyshops can capitalise on what is an excellent business development opportunity. With the right equipment and training just about any motor trade business can make a serious boost to their bottom line through air-con servicing, yet most continue to sub contract the service, or worse still send their own customers elsewhere.”

As well as full air-con training Diagnostic Solutions can also supply equipment for the servicing of air-con systems using both R134a and R1234yf refrigerant. For more information call 01 413 1330 or visit www.diagnosticsolutions.ie