Airbus Helicopters Opens UK Training Academy

Airbus Helicopters Training Academy Supports UK Aviation Skills

Airbus Helicopters has opened a dedicated training academy in the United Kingdom, bringing together pilot training, engineering courses and leadership programmes under one facility.

The academy is expected to train more than 400 pilots, engineering technicians and aerospace professionals each year, supporting the growing demand for skilled personnel in the rotary-wing aviation sector.

Spanning nearly 12,000 square metres, the facility offers engineering type-training, pilot training and executive leadership programmes. It also provides Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 apprenticeship pathways in engineering and support functions, aligned with the UK Government’s skills agenda.

The academy is designed to support career development by providing structured training from apprenticeships through to specialised aviation qualifications.

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 while strengthening its role in rotary wing pilot, engineering and early careers training.”

The training centre supports organisations including the UK Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System (MFTS) at RAF Shawbury and RAF Valley, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) and several UK air ambulance providers.

Operating under UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, the academy is the only organisation in the UK offering a Part 147-approved Airbus Helicopters B2 type course.

Enrolment is now open for engineering certification programmes, pilot type-rating courses and leadership training.

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