Eurocopter, through its subsidiary Eurocopter South East Asia, takes an important step in its commitment to the Vietnam helicopter market as it partners with Vietnam Helicopter Corporation to develop a training centre in Vung Tau, Vietnam, for the ab-initio training of Vietnamese pilots.

The great growth potential of the Vietnam helicopter market has prompted Eurocopter’s long-standing partner, Vietnam Helicopter Corporation (VNH), to set up the VNH Training Centre in Vung Tau, Vietnam, with the support of Eurocopter.

With an initial aim of providing ab-initio training to develop a pool of rotary-wing pilots to cater to Vietnam’s increasing needs, Eurocopter will be leasing its popular light aircraft, the Colibri EC120 B, to VNH Training Centre.  The partnership also entails the training of Vietnamese pilot instructors by Eurocopter, using the EC120 Flight Training Device housed in the Eurocopter South East Asia Training Centre based in Singapore.

“We have been operating Eurocopter aircraft for many years now, and have found them to be very reliable.  We have also enjoyed a good, cooperative relationship with Eurocopter, who provides excellent all-round support and services,” commented Capt. Nguyen Duc Hoa, VNH’s Deputy General Director.  “With Vietnam experiencing tremendous growth in all sectors, demand for helicopters to provide fast, efficient and sophisticated services will increase in tandem.  In order to meet such demands, we need to act now and develop a ready pool of pilots with the highest standard of flight safety for the future.”

In an effort to provide ab-initio training to increase the population of qualified pilots, VNH has selected Eurocopter’s single engine EC120 B, for its advanced technologies that offer simple, safe and cost-efficient operations as well as easy maintenance.

“This cooperation presents the perfect solution to VNH’s training needs,” noted Dr. Bernhard Brenner, Eurocopter South East Asia President.  “Not only is the EC120 B an excellent aircraft for training of young pilots; we would also be able to provide additional training on our flight training device, which can simulate the most challenging and complex missions in a completely safe environment.”

VNH is a major customer of Eurocopter in Vietnam, having in its fleet a total of 13 Eurocopter medium and heavy helicopters, including the latest acquisition of the 11-ton EC225 last year by one of its service flight companies, Southern Service Flight Company, for offshore operations.