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Airbus Helicopters has launched a dedicated training academy in the UK at Oxford Airport to provide a one-stop-shop for rotary wing technical training.
FARNBOROUGH—Airbus Helicopters has opened a UK training academy capable of training about 400 pilots, engineers and technicians annually.
The company built the 12,000-m2 (129,000-ft.2) facility in Oxford, England, to help address what it calls an urgent shortage of skilled aviation professionals amid growing global demand. Announced on the final day of the Farnborough Airshow, the academy offers engineering type training, executive leadership courses and pilot instruction.
“We are seeing a shortage of technical rotary-wing specialists in the UK, further impacted by increased industry demand and the lack of mutual recognition between the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency,” said Richard Atack, managing director of Airbus Helicopters UK.
Atack said the academy is part of a long-term strategy to support the UK's rotary-wing fleet and strengthen the country's aerospace competitiveness. The facility will also be the UK's only organization authorized to deliver an Airbus Helicopters Part 147-approved B2 type course.
Separately, the UK National Police Air Service (NPAS) ordered two additional Airbus H135 helicopters as part of its fleet modernization program. NPAS now has nine H135s on order, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2027.
The latest order follows additional funding from the UK Home Office to support police aviation modernization. NPAS currently operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising 16 H135s and four H145s from 14 bases serving 43 police forces across England and Wales.
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