Bell Training Academy Surpasses 240,000 Flight Hours

Bell Training Academy has surpassed 240,000 flight hours, training more than 140,000 pilots worldwide while expanding its European presence through its Valencia training center.

As helicopter operations become increasingly complex, manufacturers are investing heavily in advanced pilot and maintenance training to improve operational safety and aircraft availability. OEM-operated training centers combine certified instructors, flight simulators and standardized curricula to ensure operators receive consistent instruction tailored to their aircraft throughout their service life.

FAI 2026 — Bell Textron announced that its Bell Training Academy (BTA) has surpassed 240,000 cumulative flight hours, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global pilot and maintenance training programs.

During 2025, the academy trained more than 2,000 pilots, contributing to Bell’s total of over 140,000 pilots trained worldwide. Bell also reported that former military pilot instructors logged approximately 2,600 flight hours in academy-owned aircraft during the year, supporting practical flight instruction for commercial and parapublic operators.

Chad Sparks, General Manager of the Bell Training Academy, said: "The Bell Training Academy is industry leading helicopter training grounded in OEM-approved data, combining deep technical expertise with real world operational insight. We aim to establish confidence and capability so operators can safely utilize their aircrafts for diverse missions."

Bell said its global training network includes facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia, providing pilot and maintenance instruction supported by simulators, digital courseware and experienced instructors.

The company’s European hub, the Bell Training Academy Valencia, continues to expand its role as Bell’s primary training center in Europe. The facility delivers OEM-standard pilot and maintenance instruction for commercial and parapublic operators using advanced simulation technology and practical flight training.

Bell noted that its training curriculum combines classroom instruction, advanced 3-D courseware, full-flight simulators, full-touchdown autorotations and hands-on exercises designed to replicate real operational missions.

Viliam Krivak, pilot at Air Transport Europe, said: "Regarding the instructors in Valencia, I can say that their quality and professionalism are at a very high level. I can also express my admiration for the excellence and technical sophistication of the simulator itself, which significantly helps us improve the quality of our training and enhances operational safety."

Bell highlighted the milestone during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, where the company is showcasing its latest commercial, military and training initiatives.

About Bell : Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us. We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron : Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems.