Airbus Helicopters Opens UK Training Academy for Pilots and Engineers

Airbus Helicopters has opened a new UK training academy at Oxford Airport offering pilot, engineering and leadership programs, with capacity to train more than 400 aviation professionals annually.

The United Kingdom is one of Airbus Helicopters’ most important training and support markets, serving military, emergency services, police and commercial operators.

FARNBOROUGH, UK — Airbus Helicopters has officially launched a new Training Academy in the United Kingdom, creating a centralized facility for rotary-wing pilot, engineering and leadership education. The company expects more than 400 pilots, engineering technicians and aerospace professionals to complete training through the academy each year.

The nearly 12,000-square-metre facility consolidates Airbus Helicopters’ engineering type-training, pilot instruction and executive leadership management courses into a single location. The academy was established to help address the growing shortage of qualified rotary-wing professionals while strengthening the UK’s aviation workforce.

Alongside professional training, the academy supports the UK Government’s Skills Agenda by offering levy-funded Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 apprenticeship programs in engineering and support functions. Airbus says these pathways are designed to bridge the gap between education and highly regulated aerospace careers while supporting long-term STEM development.

Richard Atack, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, said: "We are seeing a shortage of technical rotary wing specialists in the UK, further impacted by the added workload to industry and the lack of mutual recognition between CAA and EASA. The launch of this training academy is part of a long-term vision to ensure critical services to support the UK’s rotary wing fleet and will help improve the UK’s competitiveness and strengthen the UK’s role as a centre of excellence for rotary wing pilot, engineering and early careers training."

The academy supports several organizations operating critical helicopter services, including the UK Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System at RAF Shawbury and RAF Valley, the National Police Air Service (NPAS), and nearly two-thirds of the UK’s helicopter emergency medical service providers.

Operating under both UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, Airbus Helicopters says the academy is the only organization in the country authorized to deliver a Part 147-approved Airbus Helicopters B2 maintenance type course. The facility is expected to attract both domestic and international civil and military students.

Enrollment is now open for engineering certification courses, pilot type-rating programs and executive leadership management training.