Eurocopter to Set Up First EC225 Flight Training Device in UK

Released on Thursday, July 17, 2008

Eurocopter's investment in the United Kingdom is set to grow through expanded training services for its North Sea Oil & Gas customers in Scotland. The company intends to operate its first UK-based EC225 Flight Training Device (FTD) in Aberdeen through its fully-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter UK Ltd., starting in 2010. This initiative forms part of a more general widening of Eurocopter UK's footprint and capabilities: having so far operated in England, Wales and Ireland, Eurocopter UK is now also reinforcing its policy of proximity to customers and state-of-the-art services in Scotland. The FTD will be qualified to JAR FSTD Level 3 standards but will also include OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) data pack and flight loop.

"Our customers have been telling us they need easier access to training, notably to FTDs. We have listened and we are responding to those needs" explained Lutz Bertling, CEO of Eurocopter. "The strategy is in tune with Eurocopter's reinforced commitment to improving Flight Safety by providing low-cost alternatives to real flight in locations far from existing simulators. Eurocopter is fully dedicated to enlarging its service offer and ensuring its FTDs are in the right place at the right price for its customers. This is just the first step."

Installing an FTD close to a key operating hub such as Aberdeen is a major first for a helicopter manufacturer. It shows that Eurocopter takes customer satisfaction very seriously and is willing and able to invest in concrete solutions to improve the business of its customers and constantly improve the safety of flight operations.

In addition, two EC135 FTDs are becoming operational later this year in Dallas, United States and Donauw�rth, Germany. The FTD localisation policy will extend to other programmes including the EC175 and Dauphin in the coming months elsewhere in the world, in particular in Dallas and South East Asia.

Eurocopter already has several training organisations within its global network and these are being reinforced. The aim of Eurocopter's training strategy is to provide local training solutions closer to customers' operations at a price and a quality that its customers will appreciate.